Greek MEPs Raise Concerns Over St. Catherine’s Monastery

SINAI, EGYPT — Four Greek members of the European Parliament have asked the European Commission to address concerns surrounding the legal and property status of St. Catherine’s Monastery ahead of an expected Aug. 23 hearing before Egypt’s Court of Cassation.

The joint written question was submitted Aug. 19 by PASOK MEPs Giannis Maniatis, Nikos Papandreou, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, and Nikolas Farantouris. The lawmakers raised concerns about the monastery’s legal personality and the Egyptian authorities’ failure to grant state recognition to its canonically elected Archbishop and Abbot.

According to the MEPs, the unresolved issues could leave the historic monastery unable to secure effective legal representation before the courts and adequately defend its property rights. They are now seeking answers from the European Commission regarding what steps, if any, it will take to address the situation.

The intervention comes as the European Union continues to deepen its strategic partnership with Egypt and has issued a positive assessment of the country concerning the rule of law and human rights. The MEPs emphasized the need to protect the monastery’s legal and property status amid the ongoing developments.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the former Sinai Archbishop called for unity to protect St. Catherine Monastery.