Published: 2023-11-06

The Franciscan presence in Egypt from the end of the 18th century to the present day

Mieczysław C. Paczkowski
Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings
Section: Rozprawy i Artykuły
https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2023.30.1.11

Abstract

After more than five centuries of Franciscan presence in Egypt, the situation changed due to Napoleon’s expedition to the banks of the Nile. This fact marked the period of European influence in that region. In some ways, a favorable situation was created for the development of the Roman Catholic community. However, the Franciscan apostolate was not easy. The golden period for the pastoral activity of the Franciscans began with the opening of the Suez Canal. For decades Europeans shaped the character of the pastoral activity in Egypt. In the first half of the 20th century, the Franciscan presence in Egypt grew continuously. With the outbreak of World War II and the establishment of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the situation changed. The Europeans were leaving the country and the Catholic communities were rapidly shrinking. The exodus of Europeans made it necessary to profile new forms of Franciscan presence and to turn to the local population. However, the Franciscan mission did not lose its specificity. Continuing their pastoral care for the remaining faithful, the friars focused their activities on the apostolate among the Copts and also established the Franciscan Center for Oriental Studies in Cairo.

Keywords:

Franciscan Order, Egypt, missions (history), Copts, Custody of the Holy Land, Oriental Christianity

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Paczkowski, M. C. (2023). The Franciscan presence in Egypt from the end of the 18th century to the present day. Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings, 30(1), 154–170. https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2023.30.1.11

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