Laying of the Foundation Stone for St. Paul Church in Tanta
Address of His Holiness the Pope
He began his address with thanksgiving, saying: “I thank the President for the tolerance embodied in his decision, and I thank the esteemed speakers for the eloquence of their words, and I thank the people who fill this square…”
Then he spoke about the work of the President in unity—whether national unity, for which he devoted a session of the Arab Socialist Union and another of the People’s Assembly, or his work for the unity of the Arabs and the gathering of their word, in the October War, in the oil decision, and in the Rabat Conference. His efforts were crowned most recently by the unity between King Hussein and Yasser Arafat. He is a man who always works for the unity of his country—not in Egypt alone, but in the entire Arab world and in the East—with tolerance of heart and breadth of mind.
His Holiness thanked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, along with his men, for the great effort they exerted in preparing for the issuance of the republican decree licensing the construction of the church.
Then His Holiness said: I also wish from the depths of my heart to thank the Governor, Mr. Ahmed El-Qosbi. I was greatly moved by his nobility and love, as he attended this gathering despite his illness—may God grant him healing.
He also said: I was very pleased and delighted by the good testimonies that were spoken by the Governor, the Secretary of the Arab Socialist Union, and Sheikh Mohamed in favor of His Grace Anba Yoannis. We congratulate him on this success, as he was able in a short period to acquire this great love in the hearts of all.
His Holiness spoke about love and its importance, saying: He who does not know love does not know God, because God is love. The heart that does not love is a heart that is not religious. And when we say love, we mean love for everyone without distinctions—a love that gives and offers.
He spoke about tolerance and gave an example of the tolerance of Caliph Omar ibn Al-Khattab when he went to Jerusalem.
And he said that God, whom heaven and earth cannot contain, humbled Himself so that we might build Him a house in which He dwells; and that every believing heart is a holy church in which God dwells.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Fifth Year – Sixth Issue – 9 November 1974
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