Global Ministries

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ

H.H. Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
Rev. Dr. Safwat al-Biady, President of the Protestant Churches of Egypt
Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, Vice President of the Protestant Churches of Egypt
February 18, 2015
Your Holiness,
Revs. Al-Biady and Zaki,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and in the name of God, whose love, mercy and
compassion exceed our understanding.
It is with heavy hearts that we write to you to express our sincere condolences following the horrendous
murder of twenty-one Egyptians in Libya in these past few days, citizens of Egypt and members of the
church. We were alarmed and saddened, looking with you and surely with their families for answers after
this senseless act. We join you in mourning, and in prayer for their souls.
We assert with you that no faith justifies such violence. We are keenly aware, too, that throughout
history, religion has been manipulated to justify such heinous acts, with innocent people falling victim.
The atrocities committed by Da`ash in Syria, Iraq, and now in Libya have claimed the lives of too many,
and we yearn for this horrible nightmare to end. We ask God for strength, and that Gods vision of peace
and justice, of grace and compassion, is realized for you and for so many throughout the Middle East
Muslim, Christian, and otherswho live with this fear and threat.
We know that the history of Egypt is replete with examples of Christian and Muslim solidarity, a bond
that has not been broken. Al-Azhar has stated that these murders are barbaric, that no religion would
accept such acts. We trust that Egypts Muslims and Christians will find common cause against such
violence, just as we work with American Muslims to respond to acts of religiously motivated bigotry and
hatred, such as the murder of three young American Muslims in North Carolina last week.
We share in the prayer, May God have compassion upon us all, bless us all, manifest Gods face upon us
all, and have mercy on us all.
Please be assured of our solidarity and support in these anxious times. Please accept our wishes of
condolence. And please know of our continued commitment to the work of justice, peace, and
reconciliation among all of Gods children.
In peace,
Rev. Julia Brown Karimu
President, Division of Overseas Ministries
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Co-Executive, Global Ministries

United Church of Christ

700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
866-822-8224

Rev. Dr. James Moos

Executive Minister, Wider Church Ministries
United Church of Christ
Co-Executive, Global Ministries

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986
317-713-2575