Further Attacks Against Christians in Mosul

Second attack in three days against a Chaldean church

Mosul (AsiaNews) – Second attack in three days against a Chaldean church in Mosul. Once again the Church of the Holy Spirit is the target. This morning a group of men fired rockets against the building, whilst an explosive devise was detonated outside a usually unused entrance door, this according to local sources who also told AsiaNews that no one was killed or hurt in the incident. They also suggested that the attackers might be the same people who on Sunday fired some 80 shots against the church breaking some windows and causing minor damage.

For months, tensions have been rising in Mosul, a Sunni stronghold...It is likely that in this as in previous cases, religion is being used for political purposes. In fact Iraqi Muslim leaders, including grand ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, have expressed solidarity and understanding towards the Vatican. A representative of al-Sistani, who is Shia Islam’s highest authority in Iraq, has said that he wants to visit the Pope.

In August 2004, the Church of the Holy Spirit was the target of another attack that injured the younger sister of its young parish priest, Fr Ragheed Gani. (source)

It is tough trying to live out one's faith in these conditions. But Christians in many Islamic lands face things like this more often than one here in the West, where our religious commitment is often soft and comfortable, would imagine. It takes determination to remain Christian in places like this - but in many of these areas, they have been Christian since the earliest days of the Church...which is a testimony of the strength of the Gospel message.