Iraq: overflow Easter crowd at site of October massacre

April 27, 2011

So many Catholics attended Easter Sunday Mass at Baghdad’s Syrian Catholic cathedral that the number of Masses had to be increased from one to three, according to Aid to the Church in Need. The cathedral was the site of an October 31 massacre that left 58 dead.

In Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, Holy Thursday evening Mass was canceled because of a curfew, and the Easter Vigil Mass was canceled because of fears for the safety of parishioners. Numerous Catholics attended the Good Friday service, some walking more than an hour after authorities forbade cars in some areas of the city amid security fears.

 

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Further information:

• Good Friday in Iraq (Aid to the Church in Need)