“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!”