Matthew Bucher

Matthew Bucher lived and worked in Upper Egypt from 2007-2011. He is currently pursuing dual Masters degrees in Conflict Transformation and Divinity at Eastern Mennonite University. He and his wife currently live in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

E-Mail: mbucier@gmail.com

This individual is a guest contributor for mei.edu, and is not affiliated with The Middle East Institute.

Publications

Feb 3, 2014

Matthew Bucher

Copts in Egyptian Civil Society: Challenge and Hope in Transition

Feb 3, 2014

Matthew Bucher

“Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, tweeted this verse of scripture in December 2012. He wrote it as one of a series of daily reflections on the book of Proverbs. This phrase, however, also provides an entry point into the Coptic Orthodox Church and its place in Egyptian civil society. Egypt is in the midst of rebuilding its government and society following an 18-day revolution in 2011, 18 months of military rule that ended with the election of Mohamed Morsi, and the removal of President Morsi one year later by the Egyptian military in July 2013. Egyptian Christians now have the opportunity and challenge to renegotiate their place in Egyptian civil society during this time of unrest and transition. What wisdom, understanding, and vision will Christian clergy and lay leaders put forth in order to co-labor with their neighbors, the state, and other stakeholders to build a new house for Egyptian society? This new vision must be rooted in Copts’ historical experience and include the possibility for new models of engagement and representation.

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Matthew Bucher

Copts in Egyptian Civil Society: Challenge and Hope in Transition