26 Coptic Christians BRUTALLY MURDERED on bus to St. Samuel Monastery - many of them CHILDREN

Gunmen open fire on bus.

Twenty-six Coptic Christians have been brutally murdered while on their way to the St. Samuel Monastery in Egypt.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The victims were travelling by bus in the Minya governate, about 140 miles south of Egypt's captial when about eight to ten gunmen, dressed in military uniforms, opened gunfire on the bus, according to health officials.

Many of those killed were children, according to the New York Times. Only three of the children present survived the attack.

"The gunmen got on the bus and they shot people point-blank," explained Bishop Makarios of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Minya Province to the New York Times. "Everyone is trying to identify the dead and wounded."

"There is no time for anger yet."

Although the current death toll is at 26, the health ministry spokesman fears this could rise.

No one group has claimed responsibility for this attack. However, officials believe it has all the same signs as recent Islamic State attacks on Egypt's Coptic Christians.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt declared a state of emergency after the Palm Sunday attacks and Pope Francis has condemned the violence during his visit last month.

We must continue to stand together and fight back against this unbelievable evil. Pray with us.

Save me, Lord, from evildoers;
    keep me safe from violent people.
They are always plotting evil,
    always stirring up quarrels.
Their tongues are like deadly snakes;
    their words are like a cobra's poison.
Protect me, Lord, from the power of the wicked;
    keep me safe from violent people
    who plot my downfall.
The proud have set a trap for me;
    they have laid their snares,
    and along the path they have set traps to catch me.
I say to the Lord, "You are my God."
    Hear my cry for help, Lord!
My Sovereign Lord, my strong defender,
    you have protected me in battle.
Lord, don't give the wicked what they want;
    don't let their plots succeed.
Don't let my enemies be victorious;
    make their threats against me fall back on them.
May red-hot coals fall on them;
    may they be thrown into a pit and never get out.
May those who accuse others falsely not succeed;
    may evil overtake violent people and destroy them.
Lord, I know that you defend the cause of the poor
    and the rights of the needy.
The righteous will praise you indeed;
    they will live in your presence.

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