Written question – Situation surrounding the oldest Christian monastery in the world – E-002338/2025

Question for written answer  E-002338/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE)

A court order issued on 28 May 2025 by the Egyptian High Court concerning St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai has sparked significant reactions in the press and among the public.

According to reports, the Egyptian authorities are to close down the 15-centuries-old site, confiscate the monastery’s assets and expel the monks.

At the same time, the veracity of that information has been disputed, and news of the monastery’s closure has been claimed to be false.

• 1.What information does the Commission have on this court order?
• 2.What steps has the Commission taken, or does it plan to take, to protect the interests of Orthodox Christians in the face of the decision by the Egyptian High Court concerning St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai?

Submitted: 11.6.2025