The story of Sunday’s attack on the Syrian-Catholic church in Baghdad is still unfolding; it appears that there are now as many as 58 dead and 75 wounded in what has been the largest attack on Iraqi Christians since the war began.
The exact timeline of events in the church has been hazy, but two survivors have now told their story and are filling in some of the terrible details:
Around 5:20 p.m., as the Christian worshipers stood and recited “Upon this rock I will build my church,” the gunfire started on the street outside.
Orthodox. Faithful. Free.
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Father Thar advised everyone to stay seated and to keep praying, but Madeline Mikhal and others rushed from their pews.
Suddenly a large explosion rocked Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad. Bullets whistled by. Some worshipers ran to the church basement. Mikhal darted into the priests’ changing room. A barrage of bullets thundered in the main hall.
Many parishioners dived beneath the pews seeking cover. But the dozen or so gunmen, some wearing vests covered with explosives and carrying grenades and other weapons, took aim at the scrambling congregation.
“Those who couldn’t find a place to hide were killed,” Mikhal said.
She was among more than 70 people who pressed together in the priests’ dressing room. The group blocked the door with a dresser, and knocked out the fluorescent lights and waited in the dark. One of the priests, Father Rafael, had taken shelter with them. Mikhal spotted Baan Selim, a relative through marriage.
“Oh Mary, Christ, God, please protect us,” they whispered and sobbed.
I won’t excerpt the whole thing, but every word is worth reading. Most of all, as we pray for our deceased friends and loved ones on this commemoration of All Souls, may we also remember all those who died in this despicable attack.