The General Bishop of theCopticOrthodoxChurch in Britain, Bishop Angaelos, said that he had discussed the threats with fellow bishops across Europe and that precautions taken after earlier attacks had been heightened.
Several liberal and secular members of the assembly had already withdrawn because of the criticism, as well as the Egyptian CopticOrthodoxChurch and Al-Azhar Institution, one of the most influential Islamic entities.
In 2002, monks from the Ethiopian OrthodoxChurch and theCopticChurch of Egypt - two groups which for years have been vying for control of the church's roof - fought over the position of a chair on the roof.