Meanwhile, the Maspero Youth Union objected the excesses that took place during the Coptic Orthodox Christmas at Saint Mark Cathedral in the Cairo district of al-'Abbāssīyah, criticizing the reactions by the cathedral's security personnel against young Copts who objected to Pope Shenouda III's welcoming of the members of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) during the Mass.

"The use of violence against activists after they chanted slogans against (SCAF Chairman) Field Marshal (Muhammad Husayn) Tantāwī, during the mass is unacceptable and we will never remain silent over the cathedral security men's violations," said the Union in its social networking Facebook page. [Monica 'Ayyād, al-Wafd, Jan. 9, p. 3]