Islamic militants attack Baghdad Catholic parish during Mass; dozens slain

Catholic Culture.org ^ | 11-01-10 | CatholicCulture

[Salvation]

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.

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

• 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)

[kearnyirish2]

“US military should have a high-level task force to fully investigate these incidents and target the attackers involved for severe reprisal.”

A nice idea, but we can’t even keep our troops anywhere near Iraqi population centers without high losses; they’ve pulled them back to remote bases, and they’ll operate as mobile strike forces from there, but these attackers (and a large number of other Iraqis) are part of the general population.

[kearnyirish2]

Absolutely; the Shah has been replaced by an Ayatollah, so to speak. The radical Muslims we’re fighting there are the same enemies Saddam kept at bay (and we were happy to arm him to do it, both in Iraq and in Iran).

[ConorMacNessa]

"One seems to ask, "Why, Lord?" But then I remember that out of every difficulty a greater good will come. "

With respect, Salvation, this event is not a "difficulty". It is an atrocity of the first order, is typical of the actions of true believers in Islam, and totally in keeping with the Qu'ran of Islam. In fact, it is emblematic of Islam, which is nothing but an evil cult whose resurgence imperils Western Civilization and Christianity now just as in Medieval times. The term "moderate Muslim" is an oxymoron - there are only those Muslims who embody and execute the tenets of Islam and those who are lax. The latter are in the category of useful idiots.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[mas cerveza por favor]

A nice idea, but we can’t even keep our troops anywhere near Iraqi population centers without high losses

We can't guard the churches. That might backfire anyway. However, we should make it a priority to find out who is behind the attack. Which imam, tribal sheik, cell group, or militia did this? They should be hit them extra hard. That might give the Christians some breathing space to survive, even as our presence scales back. Otherwise, our legacy may be said to include the ethnic cleansing of Christians from Iraq.

[cameraeye]

Your words are well taken. There is no “moderate Muslim”. All of Islam reads the SAME book. I wanted to add that to your discussion. Thanks.

[kearnyirish2]

“Otherwise, our legacy may be said to include the ethnic cleansing of Christians from Iraq.”

It already is; they’re leaving, and not going back. There is no way to secure them; at least in Lebanon they were almost half of the population (and still lost). As the French took many of them in back then, so we are taking in many of these Christians. If the US can’t deal with those killing US troops, what can they hope to achieve against those targeting Iraq’a Christians?

[lightman]

One seems to ask, "Why, Lord?" But then I remember that out of every difficulty a greater good will come.

"Sangria martyria sperma eccelesia"---the blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church.

[Chode]

why? i'd say the bigger question is why they waited so long???

i'm surprised there are any Christians left...

[wiley]

Won’t happen with Obama calling the shots. He has yet to condemn the attack.

[hershey]

Bingo.

[Hoosier Catholic Momma]

Oh yes he did! He said the Muslims acted stupidly.

Oh wait, that was someone else.

Nevermind (in my best Emily Litella voice).

[TheDailyChange]

Islam (for the most part) is from the pit of He!!

There is NO such thing as moderate Muslim, there command is to CONQUER, CONVERT, or KI!! the Americans and Jews.

[TheDailyChange]

Many contend that Obama is nothing more than a PANSY that is masquerading and pandering to the FREAKS of this world.

In addition, many believe he is nothing more than a MUSLIM OPERATIVE bent on destroying America from within.

[M. Espinola]

Jihadist savages!

[Romulus]

And Zero lectures the U.S. about tolerance.

As if Bush didn't? Get real.

This catastrophe of Christian depopulation in Iraq is the direct consequence of the wicked decision to launch this unnecessary war. The blood of these martyrs is on the hands of Bush and the neocon hustlers who directed him. God forgive us.

[ArrogantBustard]

Thousands of American casualties to bring the “blessings of democracy”

Some people's devotion to "democracy" seems to violate the First Commandment.

[Romulus]

our legacy may be said to include the ethnic cleansing of Christians from Iraq.

Well gosh, how were we supposed to know?

From my post of 2/22/2003:

Christians in the Middle East are in a perilous position everywhere -- especially in Iraq. If you think Saddam Hussein's secular Baathist thugocracy is a menace to the Christian community, just wait till "democracy" is installed, reflecting the views of the majority, who are fervently Shi'ite and have already indicated their intent to hold out for shari'a as the basis for their new islamic republic. If you're wondering whether US taxpayers are about to sponsor another triumph for Christianity along the lines of Kosovo, my guess is, Yes.

Bush's fault. And how.

[Infidel Heather]

Those slain are Martyrs now, adoring the Face of God.

Remember the early Christian Martyrs being slaughtered by Pagan Rome, and Rome was then converted.

“The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church.”

May God comfort and help the survivors and the families of those murdered by ISLAMIC militants this past Sunday.