Iraqi Christians Remember Church Bombings One Year Later
Terrorist attacks one year ago that struck four churches in Baghdad and one in the northern city of Mosul were remembered by local church leaders, who are trying hard to forgive, love, and put the past behind them.
Terrorist attacks one year ago that struck four churches in Baghdad and one in the northern city of Mosul were remembered by local church leaders, who are trying hard to forgive, love, and put the past behind them.
AsiaNews reports that Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, celebrated Mass in the Church of St. Paul on August 1, the same day that a car full of explosives exploded near the entrance of the Church, killing two people.
“The Church is much better today than before the attack. That violence tested our faith and in a year we have learnt to put into practice values like forgiveness and love, even for those who persecute us”, he said, according to AsiaNews.
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An archbishop said that following the attacks, the Christian community first thought about forgiveness and brotherhood with Muslims.
Atop the church, two banners were placed saying: “Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do. We shall continue to pray for love and peace. In Iraq, Christians and their Muslim brothers: one people that sings love and peace."
In the homily during the 1-year Mass, the Archbishop addressed the attackers, reminding them that though they had tried to destroy the churches for now reason, that "our Lord taught us to love and forgive you as well as pray for you. We have no resentment for you; we have no enemies."
Every year henceforth, the Archbishop says that August 1 at the Parish of St. Paul's Day, a memorial mass will be held to remember the attacks.
