Alexandria--Millions of Egyptians live below the poverty line and their salaries don't cover their daily needs, according to a sermon on Sunday by Coptic Pope Shenouda III at the Alexandria Monastery. Because of the many protests that have been staged the state has been prompted to take action to set a minimum wage, he added. The Pope said the state should provide alternative housing to those whose homes have demolition orders on them and are on the verge of collapse. "This is what the state should do before demolishing those homes," he said. "To leave the people to live on the street is something that nobody would accept." Shenouda warned clergymen against mistreating or beating others, saying children shouldn't be kicked out during Communion. He said that mistreatment could drive the people to other churches that adopt a different form of Christianity. Shenouda however urged clergy to visit Orthodox Christian patients undergoing treatment at Anglican and Catholic hospitals, saying that such a move would not undermine doctrine in any way and citing an example where he visited patients at an Italian hospital. As usual, the Pope's sermon was light-hearted and he made jokes with his audience. Addressing the female attendees, the Pope said "Poor you! You can't go to a man's family to demand him in marriage." Translated from the Arabic Edition.
