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Ottawa, March 17, 2012 – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement on the death of Pope Shenouda III:
“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
“Pope Shenouda was a true leader, whose spiritual guidance was a source of great strength for Coptic Christians in Egypt and around the world for over forty years. I was honoured to welcome Pope Shenouda to Canada, and to meet him in Cairo. He was a powerful voice for religious freedom and human dignity.
“He fostered a global Coptic spiritual community that thrives today, including in Canada, where he personally named the first-ever Bishops to preside over more than 20 parishes throughout our country. His steady leadership was especially meaningful in recent years, which have been very challenging for the Coptic community.
“I join with all Canadians in expressing our sincere condolences to the Coptic community in Canada and around the world on the loss of their beloved spiritual leader. I will be keeping all Copts in my thoughts and prayers.”
For further information (media only), please contact:
Ana Curic
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
