In what is rapidly becoming “business as usual”…
…a bunch of Muslims detonated a bomb outside of a Catholic cathedral in the Philippines.
This morning in the Filipino town of Cotabato City, a bomb was detonated near the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, killing at least five people and wounding some 34 others. After praying the Angelus at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his “deep rejection” of the attack and prayed for the victims.
The Holy Father explained that the attack is being attributed to Muslim extremists by the local police. The Pope told the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, “the explosion of a bomb in front of the cathedral (Cotabato) during the celebration of Sunday Mass, has caused several deaths and numerous injuries, including some women and children.”
“While praying for the victims of this ignoble gesture, I raise my voice once again to condemn the use of violence, which is never a decent way to solve problems,” he added.
The Pope is right to pray for the victims of this latest terrorist atrocity, and the condemnation of violence is also well taken. Still, at times like this, one is tempted to plead the intercession of St. James.
No, not that St. James.
“The moor slayer” says it all really. Anything that’s against political correctness is great in my book. So many interesting people throughout history that I’ve never heard of. That’s a bonus for frequenting here.
St. James is certainly an interesting historical figure, and then one that doesn’t always come up in “polite” conversation. That’s what you get, I guess, for being principally known for your skill in battle against a certain…er…demographic group.
My personal favourite historical person along the same line has to be Charles Martel, though.
Don Juan of Austria and King Jan Sobieski also come to mind.
Quite!
There’s any number of good saints and historical figures to call to mind here, really. Not that it’s polite to do so…but all the same!
KHdN – Kenneth Hynek (dot Net) » Blog Archive » Must-read research paper on Christendom and Islam (July 7, 2009, 6:44 pm).
[...] Wilken goes on to note that the principal Christian zeal in responding to Islam should be for evangelism, rather than a desire to crush an enemy. Having said as much, there is nothing wrong with looking to the example of Saint James Matomorous, or of Charles Martrel, as well, especially in nations where even to this day Christians find themselves set upon — targeted for rape and murder — by Islam and its adherents. Like Nigeria…or the Philippines. [...]
Steynian 372 « Free Canuckistan! (July 8, 2009, 4:16 pm).
[...] TEH HYNEK– In what is rapidly becoming “business as usual”… A bunch of Muslims detonated a bomb [...]