Islamic militants attack Baghdad Catholic parish during Mass; dozens slain
November 01, 2010
Gunmen linked with al-Qaeda stormed a Catholic church in Baghdad during Mass on October 31.
“They entered the church with their weapons, wearing military uniforms,” said an 18-year-old who survived the attack. “They came into the prayer hall and immediately killed the priest.”
After the gunmen took the worshippers hostage, US troops and Iraqi police stormed the parish in a rescue attempt. One gunman detonated a suicide belt, and a shootout ensued, leaving at least 37 hostages and 7 members of security forces dead along with 5 terrorists.
The Islamic State of Iraq-- the Iraqi al-Qaeda affiliate-- said it was responsible for attacking what it called “the dirty place of the infidel which Iraqi Christians have long used as a base to fight Islam.” The group said that it was taking action in support of Muslims in Egypt, charging that Muslim women are being held hostage by Coptic Orthodox clerics. The group warned that it could take action against the Copts next.
At a midday audience on November 1, Pope Benedict XVI decried the “senseless violence—all the more ferocious because it affected defenseless civilians.”
“Faced with the brutal violence that continues to tear the peoples of the Middle East apart”, the Holy Father added, “I renew my appeal for peace.” Chaldean Catholic Bishop Shlemon Warduni—who visited survivors on Monday, together with Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly—remarked that “the Christian community no longer feel safe, not even in the House of God.” He predicted that the attack would trigger a new round of emigration as Iraqi Christians look for security elsewhere.
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Further information:
- Auxiliary bishop asks prayers for hostages, hostage takers as police regain control of situation in Baghdad church (Vatican Radio)
- Baghdad church hostage drama: death toll hits 39 (The Telegraph)
- Baghdad Church Attack Leaves 37 Dead (Voice of America)
- Pope decries ferocious attack on Iraq’s Christian community (Vatican Radio)
- Baghdad church siege ends in massacre (Vatican Radio)
- Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Baghdad attacks, threats to the Copts (AsiaNews)
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Posted by: jge3139789 -
Nov. 01, 2010 11:15 PM ET USA
How long will we look for moderate Muslims. Look at Malta; ask Don Juan de Austria how he felt about moderate Muslims. Our lady of Victory pray for us. It is about time that Catholic men (in name only) become Catholic men of action. I do believe that Islams war on Catholics has not ceased...it has changed methods. Dr. Mirus will not appriciate this post, but I think CC is the best out there.
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Posted by: jeremiahjj -
Nov. 01, 2010 7:55 PM ET USA
This is what it's come to? This is what our troops died for -- so Christian churches can be attacked and worshipers slain? Not worth the cost. Pull our troops out now and leave those countries to solve their own problems. We've tried everything at our disposal to bring those idiots into the fellowship of nations. Nothing's worked. They are correct about one thing: there are infidels over there and they are them. Time to move on. If the Christians want to come with us, fine, but let's move out.
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Posted by: mgreen32234 -
Nov. 01, 2010 5:24 PM ET USA
Any mention of the ideology or the "I" word. Has the Ground Zero Imam commented? Like Beslan, savagery is in the details. I'm sure we don't know the half of it.
