Pope calls on Muslims, Christians to unite after Iraqi church attacks

Published: 2004-08-02

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Deploring a string of deadly car bomb attacks on five Catholic churches in Iraq, Pope John Paul II called on Muslims and Christians to unite against "all forms of violence" and to work together to bring peace and stability to the country. In a telegram released Aug. 2 by the Vatican, the pope said he was saddened and "deeply struck" upon hearing the news of the Aug. 1 attacks that left at least 11 people dead and 50 others wounded. A wave of explosions ripped through churches in Baghdad and the northern city of Mosul early Aug. 1 just when parishioners were attending or leaving their places of worship. "At this time of trial, I am spiritually close to the church and the Iraqi people," read the pope's message, which was sent to the head of the Assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Iraq, Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel-Karim Delly.

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