Ownership of ancient monastery lands in Sinai disputed

An appeals court in the Egyptian city of Ismailia has ruled that lands of St Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula and surrounding religious heritage locations are the property of the state as part of Egypt’s public domain. The court also ruled that the monks of St Catherine’s have the right to use the monastery and the heritage sites.

Egyptian press reports stated the court ordered that ownership of the monastery’s land be transferred to the Egyptian state. It has been reported that the decision was taken so the building could be converted into a museum.

His Beatitude Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, condemned the verdict as a grave violation of human – especially religious – freedoms, saying that the monastery’s properties are being seized and confiscated. He called on the Greek government and international bodies to recognise the magnitude of this ruling and to take urgent action to safeguard fundamental religious freedoms.

The court ruling was described as “an attempt to alter a system that has been in place for 15 centuries”.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed deep concern regarding what it referred to as the “seizure of lands surrounding the monastery”. In a statement, the patriarchate reaffirmed its full ecclesiastical authority and protection over the site.

A spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied allegations that the monastery or its surrounding lands had been confiscated. Speaking to the Middle East News Agency, the spokesperson clarified that the ruling merely formalises the legal status of the monastery.

“According to the court’s decision,” he said, “and in recognition of the monastery’s spiritual and historic significance, the monks will retain full use of the monastery and nearby religious and archaeological sites. Remote and uninhabited natural reserve areas without proven ownership documents will remain under state jurisdiction.”

Egypt’s presidential office reaffirmed the country’s full commitment to preserving the unique religious and sacred status of St Catherine’s Monastery, stressing that this ruling only reinforces its importance. The statement also referenced recent assurances given by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his visit to Athens last month.

FULL STORY

Greek Orthodox Church warns of threat to St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai after Egypt court ruling | Catholic News Agency (By Souhail Lawand/Catholic News Agency)

World’s oldest Christian monastery could close in Egypt (The Telegraph – subscription required)