CWN - Attacks on Christians in Cairo are not caused by religious conflicts, the secretary of Egypt’s Coptic-Catholic Patriarchate told representatives of Aid to the Church in Need.

Father Hani Bakhous Kiroulos said that recent assaults on Christian churches—such as the October 20 attack on a Coptic wedding ceremony, in which 4 people were killed—have shocked and outraged Egyptians, and been condemned by Muslim as well as Christian leaders.

"The idea that this involves a conflict between Muslims and Christians simply isn't borne out by reality. Not only Christians are being attacked, but state institutions as well," Father Kiroulos said. He noted that Islamic extremists have attacked government targets as well as Christian churches. Their goal, he said, is to foment a civil war.

"Police are stationed in front of many churches,” the Egyptian priest said. “This is a problem that affects all Egyptians equally, not only the Christians. Egypt is conducting a war on terrorism."