Coptic Orthodox Church

Christians wounded amid military fighting in Sudan

Speaking to NCCA’s National Church Leaders at a meeting in Sydney on Wednesday 14 June 2023, Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney and Affiliated Regions asked for prayers and advocacy for the people of Sudan affected by the current military fighting in Sudan.

Bishop Daniel told the meeting that during his recent visit to Egypt he had learned that 1.4 million people have been displaced by the current conflict, 5,000 killed, 6,000 injured and 12,000 are in need of medical care.

The Coptic Orthodox Church in Khartoum has been badly affected. Two bishops have left their dioceses and with the help of Pope Tawadros, 17 married priests have left Khartoum and have been found church congregations to support them. 722 Coptic Orthodox families took the difficult journey overland from Khartoum to Aswan in Egypt.

Whilst the US Government and other international bodies are brokering a permanent ceasefire agreement, Bishop Daniel said that the Coptic Church was seeking to be part of the agreement to permanently cease the military fighting, secure the safety of civilians and civilian facilities such as hospitals, and protect the Christian people and religious properties in Sudan.

According to a report in Morning Star News on 24 May 2023 there have been many attacks on church buildings and mosques in Sudan after fighting broke out within the Sudanese military in April. Following a coup in October 2021, military rule had been shared but the current infighting has terrorized civilians in Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan.

According to the Morning Star News report ‘Christians Wounded amid Military Fighting in Sudan’, El Ashari Mosque and the Bur’i El Dereisa Mosque in Khartoum were bombed amid the fierce military conflict and the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary near the Presidential Palace has been converted into a military headquarters whilst another Coptic Church in Khartoum North was attacked. Buildings of the Episcopal church on Khartoum’s First Street were taken to use as a strategic base. Other bombings and attacks have damaged an Evangelical Church, destroyed the Gerief Bible School and the compound of the Anglican Cathedral in Khartoum was raided.

Christians face discrimination, including problems in obtaining licences for constructing church buildings. 

The Christian population of Sudan is estimated at 2 million, or 4.5 percent of the total population of more than 43 million, according to the Morning Star News report on 24 May.

Other news about Sudan:

South Sudan Anglican Bishop: We have sold our sorghum to aid fleeing refugees (WCC, 1 June 2023)

WCC executive committee appeals for permanent cessation of hostilities in Sudan, urges solidarity and support (WCC, 26 May 2023)