Boko Harem Jihadis Attack Catholic Mass, Kill Worshippers

5/4/2012

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preach peace, hoping that all of us in Nigeria, Muslims and Christians, we will be able to work and live happily together. This is our position: no violence, no retaliation. We want to live in peace".

On the day after Christmas, the Feast of St Stephen the Deacon and Proto - Martyr, a visibly burdened Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the faithful gathered for the Angelus prayer. He spoke from his heart, urging prayers for those whose, "lands are drenched in innocent blood."

The Pope reminded the faithful that St Stephen gave his life for his Christian faith. He spoke of his heroic witness, noting that even as he was being stoned to death he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and begged forgiveness for his accusers. He extolled the witness of the early martyrs of the Church, a topic which he has frequently addressed in the last few years.

Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office said in a statement, "Regretfully the attacks at the Church of Saint Theresa in Abuja, timed to coincide with Christmas Day celebrations, are once again the expression of the cruelty of blind and absurd hatred devoid of any respect for human life and represent an attempt to generate and fuel further hatred and confusion."

"We express our closeness to the suffering of the Church and of all the Nigerian people who have been affected by violent terrorism even during these days that should be of joy and peace," he added. "While we pray for the victims, we also express the hope that this senseless violence will not weaken the will for peaceful cohabitation and dialogue in the nation."

The word "Martyr" derives from a Greek word which means "witness." The Catholic faith proclaims that the shedding of one's blood in fidelity to Jesus Christ is the final witness to the Faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that:

"Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity. He bears witness to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine. He endures death through an act of fortitude" (CCC #2471 - 2473)

What is happening to our brethren in Nigeria should be of concern to us. The threat of violent, evil, Jihadism is not decreasing. If anything, it is increasing. For someone who remembers the cold war, even to the point of drills where we hid under our desks, it calls to mind the great need for a National resolve. It also makes the threat of militant Marxism look mild in comparison.

The victims of this evil are being killed precisely because they are Christians. The blood of the martyrs seems to be flowing more frequently these days as militant Islamic terrorism increases and establishes a new beachhead in Africa. For Catholics and other Christians, we cannot - we must not- fail to act. Africa is one of the great centers of the renewal of the Church in the Third Millennium.

The words attributed to Tertullian in the Second Century of the Church still hold out their promise: "The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church." We are living in a new missionary age. Pray for our brethren in Nigeria.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Jihad, Jihadis, Jihadists, Islam, Boko Harem, Muslim, Africa, Anti-Catholic, Deacon Keith Fournier

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1 - 10 of 18 Comments

Vance
1 year ago
Judy, good questions and post. Islam has spread by the sword and terror is what keeps their membership. It is a death sentence for a Muslim to say, "I want out".
judy
1 year ago
RIP DEAR MARTYRS: Islam has been at our back door ever since it came into existence. A question I have is that of the Love our Catholic Faith teaches vs. the Koran and their actions. How can a religion, w/o Love, who does such horrendous things, grow? Other than being reared that way? And if that is indeed the answer, that they are procreating at an alarming rate, and every child is a child of God, but then they teach this child to do horrible things, so that the domineering cycle continues, and then they do these killings in the name of God or Allah, the only conclusion one can logically reach is that they are seriously deranged. And, it would seem that some of them are so, even intelligent ones, because of power and greed. If religion comes into it at all, it is not to make a better world or a better person, but pure illusion. It certainly is not authentic Love of Allah. A god of hate or domination is no god at all. When will they Wake Up? Let us pray for all the Faithful Departed. Let us pray for the
Conversion of Sinners. Amen. Blessings...
George
1 year ago
Nigeria must be split.muslims should and must NEVER BE ALLOWED under any pretext, to live amongst non-muslims and the opposite is also true.islamk is enmical to all non-islamic things, people. The only way to stop this insane bloodshed is to segregate muslims from everybody else. As you can see, "moderate" muslims know ho boko haram members are, where they live, their names, where they have their weapons, bombs, funding..and they do absolutely NOTHING to stop them. In fact they silently approve this ongoping genocide of african christians, while publially crying crocodile tears. islam is all about deception, murder and more deception and murder, ina never ending cicle of mass-murder, violence, oprpession, fueled by genuine quranic hatred against all infidels. that is why moderates won't move a hair to deffend christians...becuse they support this genocide, ethnic, religious cleasing.-islamification.
John Kelly
1 year ago
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
JoAnn
1 year ago
If you all want to know what Islamic jihadist (Muslim Brotherhood) is up to, go to GBTV.com and watch "Rumors of War III: Target US. Talk about an eye-opener! My friends, Obama has appointed Muslim Brotherhood activists in our own Home Land Security Dept. Can you imagine getting advice from the Brotherhood on how to fight the Brotherhood? My friends, please wake up. God bless.
Brian A Cook
1 year ago
I have been contemplating quitting commenting on this site for several reasons. I could go on one last commenting spree questioning the talking-points, but instead, let me just offer these in response.

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/34415_The_Muslim_Demographics_Hoax

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8189231.stm

http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0532.html
Dustin
1 year ago
That Muslim Demographics video is shocking. I really believe governments need to be in place in America and Europe that can ban contraception and abortion. Otherwise, Christendom will die. The Church needs a political ally that can force this to happen. I usually don't support governments forcing morality on people (even morality I agree with), but if people don't start having babies there won't be any Christendom left!
Sunday
1 year ago
The menace of Bokko Haram in Nigeria has clearly brought to Light, the truth about the falsehood of the so-called Religion of "Peace" which Islam is said to be, by the Leaders of our Moslem North here in Nigeria,where they preach Peace in the Public and there followers does the opposite and they act as if they dont know the perpetrators of these evil. I have studied the Islamic Nations and come to discover that there is problem somewhere since the Problem of Islamic Militants or Jihadist still still reigns supremd there. If not for the innocent souls sent to their early grave,am not bordered at all because i know that What befell the Niger Delta militants in Nigeria is Noting compare to the Punishment that awaits these DEMONS (Bokko Haram). Who is fooling who? Or they think we dont know what they're doing? As for me, i will just watch and see how the wicked will receive their rewards. May the Souls of all the Faithful departed through the MERCY of GOD, Rest in PERFECT PEACE. AMEN
Rose
1 year ago
Go to youtube and watch "Muslim Demographics." It's an eye-opener.
Diane
1 year ago
I'm glad the Archbishop there is asking Christians not to retaliate, but I sure hope he is telling them to prepare to defend themselves and their loved ones. Especially if the gov't. is weak. People have the right to defend themselves and their property.

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