President Hosni Mubarak issued a decree this morning which allows Christians to construct an Orthodox church in 15 May City in Helwan.
The church is happy about the decision and wishes the President a speedy recovery, said Tharwat Bassily, deputy director of the Coptic Orthodox Community Council. "The state had approved a general policy for new communities which allowed a church in every city," he added, stressing that he is looking forward to future decisions allowing the construction of more churches.
The Bishop for Helwan and Maasara Father Picenty also thanked President Mubarak, saying he would like to see more decrees permitting the construction of additional churches.
The diocese of Helwan urgently needs more than five churches to help Christians perform their religious rituals, he said, adding that in some areas, Christians must use more than one means of public transportation to get to church.
Arch-bishop Abdel Messih Baseet called for the expeditition of a unified law on places or worship, or at least a law that regulates the construction of churches. He said it is illogical to have to obtain a presidential decree every time a church is constructed.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
