Letter to the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America

The following letter was sent from Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron to Bishop Karas of the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, following the death of 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt by a group of militants in Libya claiming affiliation with ISIS.

Your Grace:

For myself and on behalf of the all the Clergy, Religious and Faithful of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, following the example of our Holy Father Pope Francis in Rome, I write to express our solidarity with all Coptic Orthodox Christians in facing the brutal death of the twenty one Coptic Orthodox men killed in Libya for their faithful profession of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.

By means of this pledge of fraternal solidarity I want especially to express our condolences for your loss of these brothers in the Body of Christ, to confirm our pledge to work and pray for the religious liberty of all Christians in the Middle East, and to assure you that we are one with you in praising God for giving these twenty-one sons of his the power to triumph over their murderers by the invincible strength that comes from the Cross of Christ.

As we begin to look forward to the solemn celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection, may the Holy Spirit sustain us in unity in our praying for God the Father to protect and defend all those who live and work in harm’s way because of their love for his Incarnate Son and their adhesion to the Gospel. And with sentiments of esteem and respect, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend Allen H. VigneronArchbishop of Detroit

The Reverend Mina EssakSt. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church3603 Livernois Road Troy, MI 48083Dear Father Mina,

Thank you for assistance in giving me direction about how to contact your bishop, His Grace Bishop Karas. I have enclosed here a copy of my letter to His Grace, so that you, as the Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Parish here in South East Michigan will know that we, your Catholic neighbors, are not indifferent to the sufferings of those you love.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend Allen H. VigneronArchbishop of Detroit

CC: His Grace Bishop Karas The Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America