The service was held Saturday in the Maronite cathedral here for Father Joseph Eid, a Lebanese-born priest of the Maronite rite, and Généviève Maron, according to the Misna agency.
The tragedy occurred Aug. 23 when a group of people led by Maron were visiting the resort of Marsa Matruh. There, a young girl went into the sea and was caught in an undercurrent.
The Chemin Neuf executive jumped into the water and, after several strokes, managed to reach the girl and save her. Seconds later, however, Maron herself was caught in the undercurrent. Father Eid, who was still on shore, jumped into the water to help Maron, but the current pulled the both of them under.
The tragedy shocked Egyptian Catholic circles. The apostolic nuncio in Egypt, the bishop of Greek rite, dozens of priests and two Coptic Orthodox bishops attended the funeral. At one moment in the Cathedral of Cairo, the young girl who was saved by the priest and Maron went up to the altar and burst into tears.
Chemin Neuf (New Way) is a Catholic community with an ecumenical vocation. It has 700 members on mission in 30 countries.
