El-Minya, Egypt | 2 July 2025
In a gesture promoting a spirit of unity and cooperation among Egypt’s churches, a delegation from the Anglican-Episcopal Diocese of Egypt and the Center of Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership (CCMUP) paid a friendly visit today to His Grace Bishop Makarios, Coptic Orthodox Bishop of El-Minya.
The visiting delegation included Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria; Bishop Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis, Archbishop-Emeritus and Director of CCMUP; Dr. Mohamed Abou Zeid El-Amir, Coordinator of the Egyptian Family House; and Mr. Salim Wasif, Dialogue Advisor at the Center.
During the meeting, Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy presented the details of the ongoing training program currently held in Minya, focused on conflict resolution and peacebuilding. He emphasized the vital role of inter-church collaboration in promoting a culture of social peace, coexistence, and mutual acceptance. The Archbishop also outlined the mission of CCMUP and its current initiatives aimed at supporting just and sustainable interfaith peace and fostering values of citizenship and national unity.
Bishop Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis expressed his deep joy at the visit, fondly recalling his personal friendship with the late Pope Shenouda III, describing it as a relationship grounded in mutual respect and appreciation.
Bishop Makarios, in turn, praised the enduring and profound relationship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Episcopal-Anglican Church, stressing the importance of continuing this spirit of fraternal cooperation in support of peace and national unity. He also briefed the delegation on El-Minya’s significant religious and archaeological landmarks, while shedding light on the challenges faced by some of the governorate’s under-resourced communities.
The meeting concluded with a joint affirmation that the most important aspect of the present moment lies in the unity of hearts and the spirit of collective action to build a better, more peaceful, and dignified homeland for all Egyptians.
