Pope on Giza church fire: Despite intense bitterness we feel, what happened will have many blessings

CAIRO – 20 August 2022: Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese met on Friday with the families of the victims of the fire that broke out in Abu Sefein Church in Giza early this week, killing and injuring dozens.

The pope extended condolences to the families of the victims, saying that despite the intense bitterness we feel due to the incident, what happened will have many blessings.

A massive tragic fire broke out in the church in the northern governorate, killing 41 people and injuring 14 others.

 

The heartbreaking incident on Sunday has left the nation in a state of grief with the country receiving international condolences from across the world over the past day.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi paid his condolences to the families of the victims of the fire and to Pope Tawadros II.

On Facebook, Sisi said he has instructed all state institutions to provide all kinds of care to the victims and their families.

 

Egypt has received several calls and cables from all over the world offering condolences over the victims.

Egyptian authorities announced that the families of the victims killed in the huge fire that swept through the Coptic Church in Imamba, Giza, will receive LE 100,000 in compensation each.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and the minister of social solidarity announced the compensation, saying that each injured citizen will receive LE 20,000 depending on the severity of the casualty.