The leadership of the Copts in Egypt is made up of stooges for the government. They get perks, while the average Copt gets persecuted. This doesn't surprise me one bit. If you want to know how the average Copt thinks about the leaders of his church, go back and read some of the comments made following the Jersey City murders....that'll give you a whole new perspective, and also explain why these screamingly un-Christian statements would be made.
An unfortunate similarity to many of the "Christian" churchmen under Communism and Nazism. Obviously there were a great many honorable exceptions, but most clergy were happy to go along to get along.
I have a Coptic guy in my office active in the Houston Coptic community. He's a decent fella, gotta talk to him. However, the subject is senstive. Need to figure out how to best put it not to offend him.
I agree. They are State Puppets and probably don't speak for the rank and file Copt. The Copts are descended from the original Egyptians and are not Arabs. Its hard to believe that they have any sympathy for the people who stole their Country and imposed their religion on it. Their ancestors in Ancient Egypt had nothing but contempt for the desert dwellers.
The use of "Al Quds" for Jerusalem makes it look like the release was prepared by a Mufti or Imam, not a Christian Patriarch.