Pope condemns mosque and church attacks
Pope Benedict XVI condemned the bombing of a Shiite mosque in Iraq and the retaliation that has ensued, saying today that God will severely judge those who kill in the name of religion.
Benedict also condemned the torching of Christian churches in Nigeria, during his traditional noon blessing to tourists and the faithful in St Peter’s Square in Rome.
“The fruit of faith in God shouldn’t be devastating antagonisms, but rather the spirit of fraternity and collaboration for the common good,” Benedict said.
“God will demand an even more severe explanation from those who shed the blood of their brothers in his name.”
In Iraq, nearly 200 people have been killed in a wave of retribution against Sunni Muslims after the Shiite Askariya shrine in Samarra was bombed on Wednesday.
The Pope said the bombing and subsequent violence were “actions that sow death, feed hatred and seriously hinder the already difficult reconstruction work in the country”.
Benedict also condemned the sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, sparked by protests over the publication in Europe of the Prophet Mohammed caricatures.
More than 127 people have been killed.
“While I express my firm condemnation for the violation of places of worship, I entrust to the Lord all the dead and those who weep for them,” he said.
He said he was praying that God remove the threats of future conflicts from Iraq, Nigeria and other countries.
