Egyptian Copts held a protest today calling for the dismissal of Bishop Paula, head of the clerical council, and demanded the drafting of a civil law authorizing the right to divorce and remarry – both within and outside of auspices of the Coptic Christian Church. Protestors outside St. Mark's Cathedral in Abassiya chanted “Not Islamic or Christian, Just Civilian,” and “Stay Away from Us, Pope – We Don't Live in a Jungle.” “The church must not interfere in state decisions and judicial verdicts,” said Hany, a protestor. “Marriage is our right and no one has the right to control it. Since marriage is an individual option, so too should be divorce,” he added. A female protester claims to have a court verdict authorizing a divorce from her adulterous husband. However, she claims the clerical council will not authorize the divorce, without explanation. The Egyptian judiciary doesn't want clashes with the church, therefore it hasn't passed a law authorizing divorce for Copts, she added. Arabic here
