Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was brought to Egypt by the Evangelist Saint Mark around the year AD 50. Many would consider Saint Mark as the first bishop and patriarch of Egypt. Our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt,
known as Copts, both Catholic and Orthodox, are
being threatened by the Muslim majority. Of 80 million Egyptians 10 percent are Christian.
Of this 10 percent, the Orthodox outweigh the Catholics. To give you an example, the 2007 statistics show that there are 7 Catholic dioceses (eparchies) caring for the spiritual and human needs of 161,327 souls. The Saturday edition of the NY Times carried a story with a slide show about the plight of these spiritual sons and daughters of Saint Mark.
Consider supporting the excellent work that the Catholic Near East Welfare Association
(CNEWA), a papal agency for humanitarian and pastoral support. Your prayer and financial resources would be welcomed.
May St. Mark and St. Menas pray for us.
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