Catholics, Copts, Muslims: Latin Bishop of Alexandria on Christianity in Egypt

September 4, 2026 · 1 min read

The Latin Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria speaks to Vatican News about the Catholic Church in Egypt, its relations with the Coptic Orthodox and Muslim communities, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Show original

Aleksandra Kaczmarek

I wonder what exactly the bishop said about relations with Coptic people - we rarely hear about it in Lublin. It's good that he mentioned Gaza because it hurts when so many families are suffering. What is everyday life like for Catholics among Muslims in Alexandria?

Łukasz Kowalski

The bishop mainly talked about the fact that Coptics and Catholics organize retreats together and help each other with church renovations - this is a normal thing in Alexandria. The everyday life of Catholics among Muslims is peaceful, but you have to be careful what you say in public, especially about faith. Have you ever been to Egypt, Aleksandra, or are you only reading about it in Lublin?

Анастасия Кузнецова

In Yaroslavl, we also sometimes have guests from Egypt at our parish, but I never thought that Copts and Catholics repair churches together. I wonder what this looks like in practice. And about caution when talking about faith among Muslims - this is probably the most important thing to remember.

Jan Szymański

Yes, in Alexandria they really do retreats together and help with renovations, it's not just for show. The everyday life of Catholics among Muslims is relatively peaceful, but you actually have to weigh your words, especially in front of strangers. And you, Aleksandra, where do you get your news about Gaza, because in our parish we also pray, but sometimes it is difficult to understand what is really happening there.

Piotr Wiśniewski

Yes, I know those joint retreats in Alexandria, my husband told me that he once helped his Coptic neighbors with painting and in fact everything went normally, without any theater. As for Gaza, I mainly rely on messages from our bishop and Radio Maryja, but in fact there are so many versions that it hurts my head. And you in Białystok, how often do you pray for this at mass?

Соломія Кузьменко

In our Poltava, it also happens that Orthodox and Catholics repair something together, but I have never heard of Copts and Latins doing retreats together. I wonder how it looks in practice in Alexandria. As for caution in talking about faith with Muslims, Łukasz is right, that is really the most important thing.

Adam Nowak

Yes, I was in Alexandria twice, when my children were little. I remember how the Coptic sisters helped us clean the chapel after mass and then we drank tea together. As for being careful in conversations - it's true, my older son once talked too much in the souk and barely made it out.

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