After a three-year wait and a number of broken promises, the Egyptian Coptic families of 20 men beheaded by IS in Libya in 2015 have finally received their loved ones’ remains.
The leader of the Coptic Church, Pope Tawadros II, accompanied by several bishops, priests and deacons, welcomed the 20 coffins at the Cairo airport on Monday evening, 14 May, with prayers and Coptic chants.
From there the coffins were transported to the village of Al-Our in Minya province, where the Church of the Martyrs of Faith and Homeland, dedicated to the victims, had been inaugurated in February in anticipation of their repatriation.
Yesterday, 15 May, the families gathered at the church, where the remains of the 20 Copts were placed in one large coffin to be buried in the chapel. Thirteen of the dead came from Al-Our, the seven other Copts from other villages in Minya.
“None of us could imagine that their bodies would come one day; we had lost the hope of their return. But God is good, and we thank Him so much for their return. It is a great blessing for all of us.”
Along with the 20 Copts, one Ghanaian Christian had been abducted and beheaded by IS in Libya. World Watch Monitor has learnt that his body was handed to the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya.
A morning Mass was celebrated by Bishop Bovnotious of Samalut; Bishop Ermia, General Bishop and President of…
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