Syrian Catholic Church in Basra, Iraq
Hostages Taken During Sunday Liturgy
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, affirmed that the Holy See was following closely the situation that began today when gunmen entered the church during the Sunday liturgy and took the congregation as hostages.
Syrian Catholic Archbishop Georges Casmoussa of Mosul reported in a phone call to the Sant'Egidio Community, "In the afternoon armed men entered the Syrian Catholic cathedral of Baghdad during the Eucharistic Celebration, killing two people, after having driven a car through the entrance of the basilica."
The priest moved the congregation, consisting of about 50 people, into a back room. At one point, a gunman threw an explosive into the room, which caused some of the casualties.
The prelate said, "They claimed that to belong to the organization 'The Islamic State of Iraq' and asked that prisoners of their organization detained in Iraq and Egypt be freed."
In a brief interview with the blog "Baghdadhope" Auxiliary Bishop Shelmon Warduni of the Patriarchate of Babylon of the Chaldeans, stated: "I know that there are victims among the outside guards of the church and that a little girl was killed."
Some of the hostages were able to escape as Iraqi and American soldiers surrounded the church. The troops eventually stormed the church and arrested eight gunmen. In their wake, at least seven dead were counted and 20 wounded.
"It is a big massacre, an unjust and unconscionable thing," Bishop Warduni said. "We pray that God enlighten the minds and the hearts of the terrorists who should think of the good of the people, of their own families and not follow these ways that are not the ways of God but those of the demon."
The Syrian Catholic cathedral of Baghdad, named for Our Lady of Salvation, had already been a target on August 1, 2004 in another attack that left at least 12 dead.
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![ST. JEROME EMILIANI [1486-1537]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6dKQTchkJaA/R0lo013dyBI/AAAAAAAAB_4/XzUAPDESwwQ/s1600/St.+Jerome+in+prayer,+small_1.jpg)
this is one of the dangerous tendencies of islam that bastard religion of hate!
ReplyDeleteLord Jesus Have mercy for the souls of your faithful people for they are martyrs of your Holy Church and heal those wounded, give them strenght Lord. But more important Lord please strenthen our Faith, console the families of those who lost thier loved ones.
ReplyDeleteUnspeakable actions of the terrorist who do not respect human life and other religion. We put in the hands of our Lord Jesus the justice of your actions.
Maria Remedios Aquirre
Until now there are Catholics who are dying for their faith and are suffering from the hands of the terrorists.
ReplyDeleteGrant them eternal rest, O Lord. . .
ReplyDeleteMay Iglesia ni Manalo o ADD jan? nakapunta ko ng basilan, dun mismo sa Lamitan, wala ako nakita ni bubong ng kapilya ni Manalo o ni Soriano. Dapat dun cla magpreach hindi ung sa mga lugar kung saan nakarinig na nang ebanghelyo ang mga tao.
ReplyDeletetignan nyo si wilde almeda ng Jesus Miracle Crusade, nangahas magpunta ng basilan... o anong nangyari? edi binatukan cya ni kumander robot!? eh ung mga JW o Adventist ba yun? ano nangyari? ayun, tinapyasan ng suso at ni rape ung isa nilang kasamahan na babae. tapos ang mga mokong na misyonaryo "kuno" na ito ay di na muling bumalik. Natakot na!
PANAWAGAN SA MGA PASTOR PROTESTANTE: DITO NAMAN KAYO MANGARAL SA BASILAN AT TAWI-TAWI! DITO KELANGAN MARINIG ANG SALITA NG DIYOS. EDDIE VILLANUEVA, WAG K PALAGI JAN SA COMFORT ZONE MO, DITO KA PUMUNTA SA BASILAN PARA IPANGARAL ANG EBANGHELYO. MAGALING LANG KAYO MAGPAHAYAG NG ARAL SA MGA TAONG ALAM NYONG HARMLESS KATULAD NG KATOLIKO. SUBUKAN NYO NMAN DITO PLEASE LANG.
Ha, ha, ha... TOTOO YAN.
ReplyDelete