The Carmelite Friar Patrício Sciadini who lived three years and a half in Egypt speaks on the “painful” situation arising in the political conflicts that touch the country and the reality for the Christians in the area.
In an interview with Canção Nova, the friar stressed the climate of apprehension that afflicts the residents, and highlights that the Christians, even being a minority, are called to be witnesses of Jesus.
After living 40 years in Brazil, the friar actually lives in a monastery of his order, in the neighborhood of Shubra, in Cairo, where he is responsible for the Carmelite Community in the country.
noticias.cancaonova.com: What is your mission in Egypt?
Frei Patrício: I am here in Egypt in the Saint Teresa Church, in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Egypt, it is the most populous, only here, we have six million inhabitants and we have a great Basilica dedicated to St. Teresa that is help in high esteem and loved by Christians, by copts, by Orthodox and also by Muslims. I am here responsible for the Carmelite community in Egypt. After having lived 40 years in Brazil.
noticias.cancaonova.com: How long have you been here here in Egypt?
Frei Patrício: I am here three and a half years and still my Arabic is only good enough that I don’t die of hunger, that I don’t die of thirst and so I don’t get lost returning to my house. Because the language is a little difficult.
noticias.cancaonova.com: What is the reality of the Christians in light of the conflicts that occurred in Egypt, especially these last months?
Frei Patrício: The reality of Christians is very complex here, we are only a few. The country has over 85 million in habitants and the Christians are only 10%. But the Christians are in full communion with Rome, the Coptic-Catholics, are much less than 250 thousand and those of the Latin rite, still less than 7 to ten thousand persons. And the situation is a situation of minority, when we are the minority we always suffer the reality or oppressions from part of the majority. and in this moment in Egypt, the political situation, the situation among the Muslim Brotherhood and the Army is a very painful situation, because many have died and still we do not see a solution.
Our Church is closed as are so many churches according to the news more than 50 churches were attacked in these days. Then one lives in this climate of apprehension, of difficulty, but, we know that for us Christians that we have faith, the Cross is always a motive of joy and we are called to give testimony of Jesus. It is not a testimony of words, because it is very limited, but a testimony through works, through our particular life. Then it is a situation as you can see through the international media, very worrisome. The Holy Father, 3 or 4 times has prayed for Egypt, and we live a moment of apprehension, but we have hope that his will pass.
noticias.cancaonova.com: How are Christians positioning themselves in this constant war?
Frei Patrício: The Orthodox, the Christians in general position themselves on the side of the Army, they position themselves in order that peace and harmony will return, this was spoken clearly, but it is clear also that the Christians are not in agreement with so many dead, with such violence that is here.
noticias.cancaonova.com: And our Catholic Church, how has she positioned herself, the local church in this case?
Frei Patrício: The local church has not spoken, because her we are a minority, very small. We have not made a public decision, but we live this moment in communion too with a church of all Christians. On one bishop has spoken that the Catholics are not responsible for all that has happened. It is a situation, therefore, many persons consider the Christians as responsible, but in truth it is a moment of suffering of purification that we should know to look at with much hope and that God without doubt does not ever leave abandoned those who love and seek Him. I know that everybody is praying and also Canção Nova is praying, and I would like to send my embrace to all the friends of Canção Nova, principally my great friend Monsignor Jonas Abib.
noticias.cancaonova.com: The media also has divulged some news that many Christians and Muslims are united to protect themselves mutually agaianst these acts of violence. Do you have some news in respect to this.
Frei Patrício: No, There is not this unity. All Christians and Muslims of good will are united to return to peace. Then what the Church has requested and also is able to promise is that there should exist respect for all Egyptians, because before they are Christians they are also Egyptians, then to have respect for the Church it is necessary that the Churches have the ability to manifest their own faith with freedom and not under pressure or with this fear. All the Churches are watchful for the police in this moment in order that nothing grave may happen.
noticias.cancaonova.com: Fr. Patrício, what is your analysis of the Arab Spring?
Frei Patrício: The spring I think is already winter. It was a moment of seeking freedom and there were these realities but without doubt there is this generalized lack of satisfaction. Insatisfaction is good, it is necessary, because through insatisfaction we seek new and better roads. Pray, that what the Pope said this Sunday that “Faith and violence are irreconcilable” needs to be comprehended. In the name of God, we cannot make war, as the Blessed John Paul II said. And I will say too, that in the name of the man, we cannot make war.
I am writing this article today “What we can understand in the school of war,” we can learn dialog, to learn to listen, respect… We should be people animated not by optimism but by faith. It is faith that animates us on this road and that we seek. Then a spring passed and now it is necessary to hope for another spring, after another winter, another spring…But we need also summer because spring gives flowers, but does not give fruit. We need fruit. And Fruits of peace, of justice and of love.
noticias.cancaonova.com: In your point of view what is the best road to bring an end to the conflict?
Frei Patrício: The best road is to stop, to reflect, to think that the life of one person is worth as much as the life of another person. There are not persons more important or less important. And when one is killed it is the end of life. When a person is incarcerated in prison, still he has life and can leave. I’ve never seen anyone leave the cemetery. Then we should understand this great respect for life. And around life and the fundamental values of peace, of justice, of work, we can always encounter reflection and a road.
It is a moment of suffering, but sufferign never is an alley without an exit. there is alwasy an exit when one encounters peace in the human heart, because all wars, small and big, are born in the heart of a person who does not open himself to peace, to love and to the light of God.
noticias.cancaonova.com: Há algo que possa ser feito, em âmbito mundial, para contribuir com a paz no Egito? It there something that can be done, in the world, to contribute to peace in Egypt?
Frei Patrício: Yes, all the countries of the world are worried and try to give counsel, but the problems are very internal, then what is necessary is that here inside of the country the road is encountered. But all counsel is welcome. I believe that there is an opening for all of this, principally for us for who faith, that which is most strong in this moment is the prayer to God, who is the author of light, of peace and of love. He does not abandon these people so loves and these people that seek the best for their future.
translated from Portuguese