Bishop Anba Daniel “dig deep now not next August”

Statement by Bishop Anba Daniel

Bishop and Abbot of St Shenouda Monastery, Sydney Australia.

Re: Original St Mary & St Mina Coptic Orthodox Church Sydenham NSW Australia.

1. We as Coptic Orthodox Community in Australia completely cherish this Church, since it is our first Church in the land of Australia, where we first started our pastoring care and nurturing our Parishioners since 1969.
2. In this Church, myself, my Sister and my Parents had been served, educated, brought up and nurtured since 1970-2001 AD, by our most respected and loved Priest/Father, Late Very Rev.Fr Mina Nemattalla and the honorable servants, whom I am well indebted to them, of my commitment to the Church until now.
3. It is true that all the pioneers of the Coptic Families immigrated to Australia have passed through this simple and beautiful Church in a way or another and had great memories to share with others.
4. It is a fact that this Church became very small for us and became unbearable because of the noise from the 100s of airplanes that fly constantly very close over the Church and from the 100s of Trucks that pass by the Church every minute and for these reasons, we left it and accepted the Compensation from the Government and moved to Bexley. Having said so, I am not in favor of demolishing the Church but to save it in any way as a Heritage.
5. For those who don’t want the demolition of this Church, should keep in mind that this Church need to be restored, renovated and be furnished, which means, it will cost from one million to three million dollars and not only that, but to be maintained professionally with regular maintenance which will cost more money too.
6. So for those who are very keen and don’t want to see this Building being demolished, to stop talking and pay at least $1000 Dollars each and offer a hand. Please find a donation of $1000 from my private money not of the Monastery. Australian Copts who support this Project, must seize this opportunity and continue their Mission and dig deep now and not next August 2016.
7. I love to see the Church saved from demolition, restored and maintained by dedicated and committed members and through relevant Authorities/Governments in Australia, without putting any pressure into the Diocese.

Good luck and keep up the hard work.

Bishop Anba Daniel (JP)

Bishop & Abbot of St Shenouda Monastery – Sydney, Australia.