It was one of the deadliest attacks in recent memory to target Egypt's Coptic minority, which makes up around 10 percent of the population.

[ http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ma1SgNVTqU_BT0LvNjnEGQ_-JYTp8 KRm2PanBMeVF1gmodFf8Je5JkyInZrb95BIO3-a3Ajb9JiYjfFYhRNJeQ-7w JOtQ8MpPhjkdd4oKNvElCw8M8khXhZtdG7VKJbpPFTEkQsOaSrX8Q1WsnKEz sRDqgWLIxFu_IsJhTt9XZrkb12VxMaSgqJXh2oowNv07geQ2vSQZy6w1xJPV e5uVlv8BroBqyb_Zvl5G3yeKr_BwDW8J0TETiob_PbXCW5Yn-3FBybSPJD8w Pm7GiAVrmgvk4xZ-GrF&c=WpE7NXbnbpjBtPBG3hkEf7USEaqQOqotRw F5GAXeAQLKQnqkx_Dxmw==&ch=aOdh443oWo7Zw8Xj39vJNvvInOAKq- j7OS_p23BELbiD-GHEYdYL8w==" alt="http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2016/december/after-t he-bombing-egyptian-christians-choose-to-forgive - CBN News ] A Coptic leader says Christians in Egypt have forgiven those responsible for the deadly suicide bombing Sunday at St. Peter and St. Paul's Church in Cairo, which killed 24 church-goers and injured 49 others. (Photo Credit: Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

Bishop Anba Angaelos told The Christian Post, "We are praying that there is healing in the community. We are ready to and we already have forgiven people for doing this because at the end of the day, a lack of forgiveness harms us more than anyone else."

The Egyptian government says 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa detonated a 25 pound explosive device inside the church, killing mostly women and children.

It was one of the deadliest attacks in recent memory to target Egypt's Coptic minority, which makes up around 10 percent of the population.

Bishop Angaelos said the Coptic Christian community will not respond with vengeance: "Historically in Egypt, after every one of these attacks or similar attacks, of course there has been anger and public outcry, but there hasn't been retaliation or revenge."

"That is one thing that we are very thankful for."

CBN News