U.S. Copts Association

By   Amr Bayoumi    17/ 10/ 2008
Priest Makari Yunan of St. Mark Church in Azbakiya denied that he is ‘Father Yuta’ who authored an anti-Islam novel.

In his weekly sermon, Priest Yunan said he had heard about the novel but had not read it and knew nothing about its author. “I have no relation with Islamic issues and never talk about them,” he said, accusing those who inserted his name in the issue as seeking his murder.

“I am Egyptian and I love my country and I am loyal to it,” he added.

Yunan, whose lecture was posted on the US Copts’ organizations web sites, criticized the Holy Synod Secretary, Bishop Bishoi, for describing healing satellite shows as “wars from the devil” during a faith consolidation conference.

Yunan said these satellite TVs are intenerated in spiritual healing miracles and asked: “When shall we stop destructive criticism and attacking every successful person?” He added: “I previously said these channels host many bishops. Pope Shenouda himself features in these channels.”

What is more important for the church is the material broadcast in these TVs, he said, adding: “When I was in the US and appeared in an interview, the channel officials told me that I have come to defend orthodoxy because my speech was purely orthodox.”

A faith consolidation conference has warned of watching Christian satellite channels that broadcast on European satellite and that are interested in so-called healing miracles.

Bishop Bishoi stressed during the conference held last month at the Bishop Ebram Monastery in Fayoum that his speech must not be understand as unrecognizing the miracles.