On Wednesday, December 6, the Pope went to the Monastery, whereas the problem was not yet resolved. And there, a delegate of Assiout Priests and Lay members met with the Pope, they presented Him a report, and then they met HH the next week where they presented Him another detailed report signed by the Clergy of Assiout, Deyrout, Manful, Quesada and other regions. Then the Bishop of Manfalot arrived there to meet with HH and presented Him a report, he then arrived later after some days and presented to HH another report…
Then meetings continued since Saturday December 12; over 300 of Cairo Priests arrived, then those of Alexandria accompanied by their Lay Council, the Priests of Behera, Shobra Al Kheima, Fayoum, Almenya then the Priests of Helwan, Ismaelia, Qena, Luxor and Sharqeya… the Pope received hundreds everyday with their problems and reports…
It was not just the problem of the priest’s wife. The pains of everyone poured into the Pope’s heart and mind. That incidence which was not put under control, caused other relative incidences to explode; those which were oppressed times ago, in addition to the raging news published by the press which totally stirred up things…in addition to the youth who were taken from the street and were put into custody and who had absolutely nothing to do with the gathering of people, among whom are some underage youth and some students who should been having their exams, and they are all innocent…
The Pope received the General Lay Council members, Professors of the High Institute of Coptic Studies and representatives of Convents.
Visits by the Rev Priests then continued: From Bani Swaif, Abanoub, Port Said, Abu Teeg, Mansoura, Akhmim, Tahta, Assiout, Deyrout, Manfalot and Quoseya. Then the Priests of Niqada, Deshna, Giza, Mallawi, Nag Hammady, Aswan, Sohag, Gerga, Mettay, Beba, Bani Mazar and Maghagha. Also the Priests from Domiatt, Kafr Al Sheikh, Barary, Mahalla Kobra, Baleina, Tanta, Mit Ghamr, Tama…
The number of Priests whom the Pope had met at the Monastery was 1808, increased to 2063 at the Pope’s meeting in the Cathedral. The Pope also received 63 of the Rev Metropolitans and Bishops. Everyone comes to their father with all their emotions, and presented Him reports and information about their status. And at the same time visiting Him presenting their love and deep affections… The Pope wanted to find tranquility at the Monastery where the delegations of His sons were seeking Him.
