Dr. Camille Seddik, a member of the Alexandria Confessional Council, said Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Saint Mark Episcopate, decided to boycott the city of Alexandria for a certain period of time to protest what he described as 'intransigence' by Major General Adel Labib, Governor of Alexandria, against the interests of the Church. He said the Pope took that decision seven weeks ago. Seddik told Al-Masry Al-Youm: "The Pope did not deliver his sermon in Alexandria for the seventh straight week, as he was very angry with the governor, to the extent that the matter between them has reached a dead end."
He said that among the problems between the Church and the Governor are the demolition of the Church Services Building in Sidi Abdel Kader, the King Mariout Building of the Church of Alexandria, and the Bishop Takla Church in Ibrahimia, which was meant to be used as a hospital to serve the district. He added: "The demolitions took place while the Copts were praying inside the church, which offends them and threatens the national unity, as happened with the Ibrahimia Church that was demolished in the Holy Week before Easter." He said: "Three weeks ago, we sent to the Governor a memo signed by all members of the Priests Committee and the Alexandria Confessional Council, in which we have listed all the obstacles faced by the Church, asking him to ensure justice for all, irrespective of religion. But instead of discussing the memo with us and explaining his arbitrary decisions, he did not reply, nor did any other official, as if it all did not happen." He said justice and equality in Alexandria have long gone after former governor, Major General Abdel Salam Mahgoub. "He used to understand the demands of the Church and cooperate with us within the law," he explained.
On the other hand, Major General Adel Labib said he has very good relations with Pope Shenouda, and that he reveres and respects him greatly. "We Muslims and Christians are all the sons of Egypt, and there are no differences between us, as we are all equal before the law that we apply to everyone, for the law does not differentiate between a Muslim and a Christian," he said.
