Persecution

Egyptian policeman killed while defusing bomb outside church
AP reports: "Egypt’s Interior Ministry said a policeman was killed as he was trying to defuse an explosive device near a church in a residential Cairo district. [...] The blast came just two days before the Orthodox Coptic Church, the dominant denomination among Egypt’s estimated 10 million Christians, celebrates Christmas. [...] Saturday’s incident likely will force authorities to further tighten security around churches ahead of the Coptic Orthodox Christmas. Already, armed policemen guard churches, and security guards check the identity of visitors. Metal detectors have also been set up outside churches. The heightened security followed a spate of attacks claimed by the Islamic State group that has targeted churches and buses carrying pilgrims to remote desert monasteries, killing more than 100 Christians over the past few years."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the persecuted church in Egypt and for the professionalism and diligence of the security services fighting the Islamist terrorists.