Archbishop Kwashi reports: “The reports from those I have sent out to collect information are that the Muslims are attacking and burning this morning. It looks well co-ordinated. They are well armed with AK 47 and pump machine guns. This morning they have been at Dogonduste. Quite a number of Christian homes have been burnt. We do not know how many have been killed. The local government has underestimated the vehemence of the militants. At the moment this is all restricted to Jos City.
We ask prayer for knowing the right thing to do. I have moved one of our archdeacons and his family to live in our home. St Luke’s Cathedral is in the middle of the area of violence. We hope we can proceed with our normal services tomorrow.”
Prayers for Archbishop Ben, his family and the flock. May the Lord surround them with his angels and protect them from all harm in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The good Archbishop must be mistaken, Islam is the “religion of peace.”
Almost 200 killed in India. But, the following never got in the US media: (From Assyrian news) “Thousands of Muslims who stormed a church in Ain Shams, Cairo, on Sunday, [Nov 23, 2008] and set fire to the building, are seen in two videos on a news agency website, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.
A crowd of Muslims, estimated at 20,000 strong, were enraged by an extension that was added to the church of St. Mary and Anba Abraam, according to Assyrian International News Agency.
The videos show the mob storming the church, chanting “Allahu Akbar!” (God is greatest).
Assyrian International News Agency said at least one thousand Christians were trapped inside the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in West Ain Shams, Cairo, after more than twenty thousand Muslims attacked them with stones and butane gas cylinders. The Church’s priest Father Antonious said the situation was extremely dangerous.”
Religion of Peace strikes again!
[i] Please don’t stray too far from the subject of the original post. [/i]
-Elf Lady
Bishop Ben and his wife were at the Diocese of Albany’s annual convention this last June.
Both gave moving testimony to Muslim attacks on their congregants and on their own persons. The bishop’s wife was sexually assaulted/molested.
Before you take the “both sides share blame route,” please take note of the historical violence of Muslims toward Christians in Africa and other places. Violence towards Christians usually takes place first, before Christians, usually younger men, out of outrage retaliate.
Criticize retaliation by Christians if you will, but don’t criticize their efforts to protect their weaker members of their congregations, children, women, the elderly, etc.
If you weren’t there in their shoes suffering what they have and are suffering, then your criticisms can take on the superficiality of the kibitzing of diletantes.
[blockquote] “We ask prayer for knowing the right thing to do. I have moved one of our archdeacons and his family to live in our home. St Luke’s Cathedral is in the middle of the area of violence. We hope we can proceed with our normal services tomorrow.†[/blockquote]
Matt Thompson, #8,
You said: “I am saying that there is plenty of blame to be spread on Christians.”
If you gave a credible reason for making this accusation I might be inclined to believe you but as I see it, you have no reason to blame victims of violence.
This is a thread for prayers from which a number of off topic comments have been removed. We encourage you to pray for the safety of Archbishop Kwashi, members of our church and for the people of Jos.
Merciful Father, Please be with Archbishop Kwashi and the people of his Church, guide them to the knowledge of the right thing to do and say. Please save them from harm and violence.
Please send your transforming grace to those who would attack them, may Thy Holy Spirit inspire them to show mercy.