Bishop Mouneer writes from Egypt
Bishop Mouneer Anis writes with news of the recent elections in Egypt…
“The recent elections went very well and we were so encouraged and proud of the people who were keen to give their votes. However, there are several reports about attempts to forge votes and to persuade people to vote in certain ways. As a result, the Egyptian administrative court cancelled the election in one of the densely populated suburbs of Cairo where many Christians live.
The results of the recent elections showed that 60% of the seats are now occupied by political Islamists (the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi groups). The others are mostly liberal and democratic which is a great achievement having taken into account that the other political parties are only four months old!
During our Ecumenical Lunch on 5 December we had a discussion about the church’s response to the elections. We agreed that we need to have active prayer, engagement in the community through community services and involvement of Christians in the political life of Egypt.
Once again, nothing that happens around us can change God’s plan.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91.1)
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him” (Psalm 91.14–15)
May the Lord bless you!”
Yours in Christ,
+ Mouneer Egypt
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer H. Anis
Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt
with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
President Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican
Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East