A COPTIC Orthodox bishop escaped unhurt on Monday when a convoy of vehicles in which he was travelling came under fire.

Bishop Makarios, of Minya, a town on the Nile 150 miles south of Cairo, was in the small village of Garees early on Monday morning, on his way to offer condolences to the family of a Christian, Karim Samir Lamaee, who had recently been murdered after selling property to donate money to the Church.

The Bishop took refuge in a house until the firing stopped. He later told the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, Bishop Angaelos: "We are all safe, but it is unfortunate that this can happen during a time of healing. This is an indication that, while steps are being taken towards reconciliation, there are those who still want to delay us."

Bishop Angaelos said that, although he was relieved that Bishop Makarios was safe, he was "greatly concerned at the level of criminal activity and lawlessness that continues to be prevalent in Minya.

"As the lives of those who seek to live peacefully and establish steps towards reconciliation are continuously threatened, we re-iterate the need for a sufficient level of law and order to be restored, because every Egyptian deserves to receive equal protection under that law.

"We continue to pray for peace and healing in Egypt at this formative time."