The critical problems confronting the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai, widely recognized as “the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world,” were brought to the attention of the European Parliament plenary session by Giannis Maniatis, Vice-President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and head of the PASOK delegation.
During his intervention at the opening of the plenary yesterday, Mr. Maniatis informed Members of the European Parliament about the severe challenges faced by the monastery following a recent decision by an Egyptian court. The court ruling stripped the monastery of all its property rights, including ownership of the monastery building itself.
“As a result, the monastery’s operation now entirely depends on the goodwill of the Egyptian state, which has effectively become the owner,” Maniatis emphasized. “The monks are reduced to mere guests, as nearly all of them hold only one-year residence permits.”
He warned that this decision endangers the survival and continued function of this unique monastery, which boasts a history spanning fifteen centuries.
The Socialist Group in the European Parliament has formally requested that the issue be debated in a plenary session. Although this was not possible during the current week, Maniatis assured that they will persist in raising the matter at the July plenary, highlighting its crucial importance, especially in the context of the ongoing macroeconomic assistance provided to Egypt.
“This is an exceptionally significant issue,” Maniatis concluded, “and we will continue to advocate for the monastery’s protection and sustainability within the broader framework of European-Egyptian relations.”
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
