The attack in Egypt prompted Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican to call for Christians to remain strong in the face of intolerance and violence in a New Year's appeal on Sunday.
Posted on 01/02/2011 9:12:27 AM PST by Cardhu
Official announcement follows day of unrest in Alexandria neighbourhood where car-bomb attack claimed 21 lives
Sunday's announcement came as congregants were back praying in al-Qiddissine [The Saints] church, targeted the day before by a car bomb that also wounded 97 people.
Dozens of worshippers attended Sunday Mass at the church, located in the Sidi Bechr district of the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, while riot police backed by armoured vehicles were deployed outside.
The service was marked by the grief and anger felt by a congregation devastated by the attack, which took place on Saturday outside the church's door about 30 minutes into the New Year.
Many wept while others cried hysterically, screamed in anger or slapped themselves.
"We spend every feast in grief," Sohair Fawzy, who lost two sisters and a niece in the attack, said.
Grim reminders of the attack remained in the church a day after the bombing. Its ground floor was stained with the blood of victims brought inside immediately after the attack.
Two statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary were toppled and the benches were scattered by the impact of the blast. And a "2011" sign hung on the inside of the church's door was torn apart.
The attack was the worst violence against Egypt's Christian minority in a decade.
It sparked clashes between riot police and Christians who say the government hasn't done enough to protect them.
The Copts are the biggest Christian community in the Middle East and account for up to 10 per cent of Egypt's 80 million population.
No bombing claim
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, which came as nearly 1,000 faithful left al-Qiddissine church.
According to the Egyptian interior ministry, the car that exploded was parked in front of the church.
(Excerpt) Read more at english.aljazeera.net ...
The attack in Egypt prompted Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican to call for Christians to remain strong in the face of intolerance and violence in a New Year's appeal on Sunday.
He should be calling for a CRUSADE!
LLS
“He should be calling for a CRUSADE!”
And do what after you win?
The problem is that nobody would answer the call this time. Western countries hate Christianity more than they fear Islam, and Christians receive no support from anybody who has the power to do anything to protect them.
LLS
Put out the call and see. You are correct however... it will not happen because the call will not come. Maybe JESUS will come soon... carrying a sword and entering this time as a Lion.
LLS
France, UK, US and many others are allowing, if not encouraging, Pakistanis and Somalis to come to their country each day and you speak about a crusade :)
LLS
“Egypt arrests church blast suspects’’. And let me guess...... they’re-—— MUSLIMS??
How about the terrorism generated by Egyptian laws that forbid Christians from building or repairing churches and do not recognize conversions out of Islam, removing all civil rights of those would try, and the repeated refusal of the government and police to protect Christians from Muslim mobs?
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