"An offense against God and all humanity," Pope Benedict XVI told those gathered in St Peter's Square for the praying of the Angelus and an address in which he described the New Year's eve bombing of a Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, Egypt. There's been a consistent campaign to terrorize and kill Christians in Arab nations. This was the latest round of Muslim attacks.
The Pope said "Yesterday morning we learned with sorrow the news of the serious attack against the Coptic Christian community in Alexandria, Egypt. This vile act of death, such as planting bombs close to the homes of Christians in Iraq to force them to leave, offends God and all humanity, who only yesterday prayed for peace and began the New Year with hope".
The Holy Father appealed for Christians to recall the Gospel teachings of non-violence: "Before this strategy of violence that has targeted Christians, and has consequences for the whole population, I pray for the victims and family members, and encourage church communities to persevere in faith and witness to non-violence that comes from the Gospel".
"Today we continue to contemplate the divine mystery of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary. He is the Word of God made flesh for our salvation, the Wisdom of God who has come to enlighten us. Let us always cherish this presence of Jesus who brings us grace and truth! I wish you all a pleasant Sunday and renew my good wishes for a Happy New Year!"
... as Christians "we remain united in Christ, our hope and our peace!"
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