The Human Kindness of Bishop Kollonitsch

[Kreuz.net] Bishop Leopold Karl Kollinitsch traveled to besieged Vienna in 1683 and helped organize the defense. After the victory over the Turks he worried about hundreds of orphans.

Bishop Kollonitsch, who drove to strengthen the defense of morality on the approach of the Turkish hordes to Vienna, gathers his "war booty" from the Turkish camp: 500 orphans, whom he at his own expense a new home and comfort are [Photo: cross-net.info]Battle Hardened Knight of Malta

The son of Count Ernst von Kollonitsch, who was the commander of the fortress Kormorn - in contrast to most of today's bishops - was a man of courageous deeds.

As a member of the Order of Malta, he was tested by the turks: He fought in 1651 in Candia (Crete), and four years later at the Dardanelles against Turkish invaders.

Since 1670 the Bishop of Wiener Neustadt, previously Prior of the Order of the branch Commende Mailberg and subsequently of Eger.

Defensive struggle in Vienna

When the Turks besieged Vienna in 1683, he traveled to the city, while others fled from her.

He organized jointly with Starhemberg the defense of the city, provided for the pay of soldiers and set up medical care.In addition, he was responsible for the spiritual care of the besieged.

When Kara Mustafa Pasha, the besieger of Vienna, who learned of his presence in the city, he announced that the courageous bishop's head would be led through the city on a pole after the hoped for taking of the city.

It was not to be: Kara Mustafa's skull was found after the conquest of Belgrade, on the road to Vienna.

In 1685 Count Kollonitsch became Bishop of Raab in Hungary, Archbishop of Esztergom, Primate of Hungary.

His work was honored by the Church with the appointment of a cardinal.

After the victory over the Turks in Vienna, he collected several hundred orphans from the suburbs and provided for their advancement and education. The following is recounted in history and poetry.

Rescue of orphans after the liberation of Vienna

"While the whole army was "grabbing loot in the camp, the worthy Bishop Kollonitsch seeked out those helpless children whose-parents had fallen, were among the unfortunate prisoners as the victim of hostile rage, to find them foster parents and to represent them.

"He found about 500 abandoned orphans. They were in indescribable misery in some which he met.

Some were near the bodies of their murdered mothers, and suckling, near death from hunger, blood instead of milk from her breasts.

"Others were rooting around in the soil, and could scarcely breathe more from hunger and exhaustion.

The worthy priest clasped them in his arms, paid people so that they were carried in the city, provided with costs for board and lodging, and afterwards he also educated many of them to become useful citizens of the state.

Emperor Leopold was touched by the philanthropic self-sacrifice of this bishop so that he procured him the Cardinal's dignity as a reward from the pope."

Thus, were the descriptions of the actions of Bishop Kollonitsch in the "Patriotic Conversations" by Leopold Chimani, Vienna, 1815, He was also praised in the figure below poem by Johann N. Vogl [Another stab at translating poetry by the editor from the German]

"None Wanted From My Spoils of War ..."

It sits in Vienna in the Imperial Hall The princes and heroes richer withal You have horrified the town anxious Lusted after by the Turks.

.And now to the end of the hearty repast and happily emptied of victories, one Speaks: "Enough now with song and sound! Now tell who won the best booty abound?"

"Have I got myself Sultan's God, out of his tent," said the Pole bold.Then a Lorrainer: "I took his proud banner with my my bloody sword."

A Viennese then: " A rich robe I wrung
with this hand from one retreating". Another shouted: "Weapon helm, spear won I and more such gear"

A fifth: "I ran with all with art
Arab horses then for my part. "
All knew of his kind what to say,
what for him was his prey.

Only one victor sat silent in reverie
all else forgot his story
"How silent but the bishop. Confess your deeds! Methinks thou hast most poor!"

Herr Kollonitsch, who also bishop, replied with smile: "One thing certain: gained you whatever by the Turks flight, none
has looked after my loot.

"And yet it is the more dear in fact, than any has taken from the battlefield. "

He waved his servants, to unlatch door whence came a throng, an army of children poor.

From boy and maid so tender and hold,
Her cheeks like Rose, the curls as gold.

They fell on their knees before man
of God, and clung weeping to him
"This is my prize!" the bishop says,
"Not one of you sought such as these.

I found them left in harm and dread,
their mothers strangled their fathers dead.

I led them all to storied Vienna's gables.
And I will be a father to the fatherless!"

And as he told them these words, the others were to shamed
 to silence, for what they all brought home, for none compared.

Link to kreuz.net...

Christians in Maalula Are Fleeing Muslims -- Jihadists Tear Crosses from Domes

Edit: what would have inspired men from all over Europe to take up the sword in one hand and a cross in another, today inspires Leftist politicos to join in on the looting and the day of  reckoning for Christians living in the Middle East.

(Damascus) The Christians of Maalula are on the run. From the only village in the world in which Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is spoken, the vast majority of Christians have fled. The town was devastated by the attack of Islamists. The jihadists began the systematic destruction of the building on behalf of the Free Syrian Army, which wants to move the U.S. President Barack Obama to bring the U.S. into the war. Of the 3,000 inhabitants only a few hundred have returned to the place of the attack to protect the homes from looters. The majority of Christians remain hidden. For great is the fear of the Islamist militias.

A priest of Maalula is quoted by Asianews quoted as saying: "This morning, the terrorists have torn the crosses from the domes of the St Sergius Monastery. This is an open declaration of war against the Christians. By the removal of the crosses they want to send an unmistakable message: Now you Christians get your turn, now anything can happen."

The priest reported that the Islamists wanted to penetrate some quarters on Thursday evening, but then withdrew again. "Our youth have defended the monasteries, churches and our homes. But they are not warriors, they are not trained, these are contrary to peace. That left only the flight. All flee Maalula, because there is no life here with Islamists. "

The priest criticized the Free Syrian Army. While these have always denied links to Al-Qaeda and even released on videos on Youtube that allegedly show their fighters in the defense of Christian churches. "These videos are just propaganda," said the priest. The only "free" in this army is the word in the name. "In reality, they threaten us Christians. You have always told us that your hour comes, we'll take care of you. And now they say your hour has come."

Maalula is a World Heritage Site according to Unesco. The town is located some 40 kilometers north of Damascus. The monasteries of the place are the destination of numerous pilgrims.

Text: Paix Liturgique / Giuseppe Nardi Image: Una Fides

Link to katholisches...

The Arab Revolt Continues in Egypt as Christian Churches Are Burning

So much for the “Arab Spring”.  We predicted an Arab Revolt long before this happened, when the various media organs were rhapsodizing about the wonders of Democracy.

A report from Pro Christanis’ Facebook group reveals:

Update - Egypt - 14.08.2013
24 churches burnt down today15 orthodox7 catholic and 2 protestant churchesCopts' houses attacked in Cairo, Alexandria, Sohag, Minya and SuezChristians' shops and Bible publishing houses also attacked A priest and his wife were kidnapped and hold captive by Muslim Brotherhood

And the atrocities continue, link.

For 1500 Days on Death Row -- Asia Bibi Refuses to Convert to Islam

(Islamabad) The now 42-year old Catholic mother has been unjustly accused, since 2009, of insulting Islam. It is a triviality to charge someone and put them in jail for this offense. It may lead to harsh prison sentences. Asia Bibi was sentenced, however, in the first instance by a court, to death. Since then, she is waiting on death row for her appeal.

For 1,500 days Asia Bibi is innocent and in prison. A "wrong" word, refusing to convert to Islam and the trap has snapped shut. Asia Bibi was reported by Muslim women, work colleagues, who were supposed to be friends. But Asia Bibi faces a stigma: she is Christian. The police arrested, allegedly to protect her, because Muslims want to practice their hangman's justice. A more accurate legal review of the indictment did not take place.

The scandal ensures worldwide attention. The Catholic minority minister Shahbaz Bhatti of Pakistan campaigned for her release and was assassinated by Islamists. The Muslim governor of the home province of Asia Bibi, Salmaan Taseer, who fought for the mother and her family, was brutally murdered by Islamists. The murderer was enthusiastically celebrated as a hero of Islam.

A fatwa was issued against Asia Bibi, that requires every Muslim to murder the Catholic. Therefore, the necessary safety precautions make life in prison for the "condemned" even more unbearable. Pope Benedict XVI. appealed to the government and the Pakistani people. Vatican diplomacy tried to reach for extradition for Asia Bibi. This is so that she would be removed as a "bone of contention" from the country, but bringing her to safety. But the Islamists have created a death zone of scorched earth for the Christian. No Pakistani politician dares after the murders to unleash the Islamist "people's anger" on earth. Western governments have kept up with symbolic "pressure" on the government of Pakistan. Pakistan is an important and historic U.S. ally in the region. The neighboring country of Afghanistan could fall into the hands of the Islamists by way of the Asia Bibi case. Thus is the fear in the Western state offices. The strategy is: peace before justice. Asia Bibi has thus become a symbol for hostages, for a country where power is not exercised by the Islamists.

In the first half of June, Asia Bibi was shifted from the high-security prison in Sheikhupura in the women's prison in Multan. For the family members, the trip also means twelve hours for each visit. Rides that always are always made by the family with special precautions to avoid detection, or falling into the hands of Islamists. "It sounds absurd, but the family members are currently living almost a more dangerous life than Asia Bibi behind the terrible prison walls," says a Christian family lawyer. Whoever was able to visit Asia Bibi in the past few months, got to hear the same words: "Please, do everything possible for my freedom. I am strong, but I'm going weaker day by day."

Asia Bibi is far from the only recent case of the tragic Islamist hounding of Christians. The list of persecuted Christians is long and the number of Christians killed grows from year to year. The young Christian Rimsha Masih was eventually acquitted because it could not be proven that the Imam falsified incriminating evidence. A rare stroke of luck, where justice came before Islam. A return to her life was still no longer available for the young girl in Pakistan yet. Islamists do not think much of the state courts. Your judgment is sure, with or without a judge. Rimsha Masih received political asylum in Canada and lives with her family recently in the North American country. However, they are there under false names and with new documents, because Islamists are present almost everywhere.

The fate of Asia Bibi might also threaten two other Christian women and their families. In one place, the southern province of Sindh, a rich Muslim landlord has tried to abduct the Catholic Nazia Masih, to marry her after the forced conversion to Islam. Her family was able to prevent the worst appealing to the local bishop. But Nazia and her aunt, the Catholic nun, Sister Marie Khurshid's lives are in danger. The Islamists have vowed revenge.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: Tempi
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD

The Kidnapped Bishops: Three Months and No Word

Wikicommons.

Edit: just a word from Notes on Orthodoxy:

by Claire Lesegretain

In the absence of proof of their death, it is not possible to confirm that they were killed by their kidnappers.

But we can wonder why international authorities, who are in contact with the Syrian rebels, are not demanding proof that they are alive or evidence that negotiations are ongoing.

This past Monday, July 22, made three months that we are without any news of Bishop Paul Yazigi, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, and Bishop John Ibrahim, Syriac Orthodox bishop of the same city. “We have no information,” confirms Mgr Pascal Gollnisch, director of Œuvre d’Orient, who emphasizes the urgency and seriousness of this question. “Since seizing bishops demonstrates that priests and faithful are no longer safe in Syria, it threatens all the Christians of this country,” he says.

Notes on Arab Orthodoxy: The Kidnapped Bishops: Three Months and No Word

Muslim "Youth" Derail Paris Train, Loot the Corpses and Throw Rocks at Rescue Workers

District Attorney Opens Investigation of Gang Violence

Edit: in light of the Pope's recent statements in Lampedusa  , this story is not going away.

No sooner did the train crash after the rails had been sabotaged, but then some of the local youth descended upon the train to rob the dead and wounded.  This report, which was made by the CRS (riot police), an official police source, is being somewhat contradicted higher up, by the Red Cross and Emergency administration.  During the riots in 2005, there were also arson attacks in the neighborhood of this suburb by Muslims.  This from Galliawatch:

The article goes on to say that the District Attorney of Évry has opened a preliminary investigation of gang theft with violence. Five persons were arrested, then released when searches of their homes came up empty.

Le Point concludes by saying that these revelations will no doubt create a controversy. Especially since the Alliance police union described scenes of pillage. Even though these declarations were virulently denied by numerous Socialist leaders, the summary by the DCCRS seems to vindicate Alliance's accusations.

Many Le Point readers thank the journal for having the courage to print this information.

Below, another view of the sabotaged track. That piece lodged in between the rails is what caused the "accident". It could not have become unscrewed (note the holes where the bolts were removed) on its own.

Other reports here, here, Looting Corpses,

SSPX Italy Critical of Pope's Take on European Immigration

Edit: some people have friends who think you can make an orderly society where the rule of law out of any culture.  We suspect pecuniary motives for ignoring the problem, among more diabolical ones. Earlier popes were convinced Islamic immigration to Europe was a bad idea.  What's changed?  Certainly, Muslims are as hostile as they ever have been?


(Rome) The SSPX is sharply critical of the visit by Pope Francis on the island of Lampedusa off the Tunisian coast. The Italian District of the Society speaks of a "distorted progressive simplification" of a complex question, like the mass immigration of Muslims and especially to Europe.

"Since the 9th Century the popes, among them saints, have undertaken to equip fleets and preparations to ward off the (armed, of course) advance of the Muslims in the desire to preserve the Catholic faith where it had not been destroyed by the Mohammedan invasion. Pope Bergoglio wanted with his trip to Lampedusa, to reduce the question to a simple formula: There are the destitute, who are appealing to rich egoists, but they allow them to die at sea, and we rich are all guilty," said the Italian district of SSPX in a comment on his website.

"Even if this message should contain a small truth, so that it might be represented without serious complications as a problem. It is also true that no one should be refused necessary assistance in danger, but at the same time the Masonic plan for the creation of a multi-cultural society can not be underestimated, especially when one is Pope, and therefore is responsible for the defense of the Faith," says the SSPX.

Therefore, "the gestures and words of Pope Francis have been characterized by distorted progressive simplification from the celebration of Mass on a boat with sacred objects made of scrap. Gestures, aimed at rapid popularity for a particular audience and especially in the media," it says in the concluding comments of the Italian District of the SSPX.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: Mapsfor
Translation: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD

Link to katholisches...

Muslims Attack Catholic Seminary: Rector and Seminarians Wounded

Edit: we're straining to recall when Catholics have visited violence on a Muslim seminary.

(Dhaka) Several dozen Islamists attacked a Catholic seminary in northern Bangladesh. The Rector, Father Uzzal and several seminarians were injured. The incident took place yesterday, Thursday, in Bolakipur in the Diocese of Dinajpur.

Previously, Muslims had already attacked the majority Catholic village of Tivipara-Bagja. They plundered the village and robbed the cattle. They also threatened this past May to burn the village down. Women and children of the area have taken flight to nearby Catholic mission stations.

Since the beginning of the month, attacks by Muslims against Christians have increased. On the 5th of June the parish of Tumilia had been the object of an attack in which the Pastor, Abel, together with the religious, were injured and robbed. Link to katholisches...

Comments to Tancred: vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD

Egypt: More Attacks on Coptic Orthodox Community. Two Churches Set on Fire

Cairo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Egyptian Coptic community faces a new escalation of attacks by Islamists. On 17 May, two churches were attacked with Molotov cocktails in the district of Dakhela, west of Alexandria, Egypt, and Menpal in Upper Egypt.

In Alexandria over 20 thousand Muslims attacked the church of St. Mary setting fire to the entrance of the building and shattering windows. A man died of a heart attack in the attack. In response to the violence, hundreds of Copts left their homes to create a human wall around the building. According to witnesses some Islamists armed with pistols and knives fired on the crowd, causing some injuries.

At the origin of the clashes is a dispute between two neighbors. Basem Ramzy Michael, a Coptic Christian, is reported to have behaved inappropriately towards the sister of Alloshy Hamada, a Muslim with a criminal record. In a short time the dispute between the two erupted into a sectarian clash.

A similar incident occurred last May 13, in the village of Menbal, Matay district, north of the province of Minya, where a Muslim mob stormed the church called the Tadros el-Mashreki and assaulted one person inside. The assailants threw stones at the building, looted Christian shops nearby and burned cars. The Coptic minority has been threatened with expulsion from the village. Once again the violence was sparked by a trivial quarrel between two young people. Some young Muslims are reported to have made advances to a group of Coptic girls, as they entered the church. Irritated at having been ignored the group waited for the young Christian girls to leave the Church and threw bags filled with urine at them. The young people were rescued by some Christians peers who have started a heated argument with Muslims. As in other cases, the news spread across the village. In a short time a crowd of Islamists rallied in front of the church, forcing young people to take refuge inside.

Ehab Ramzy, a Coptic Christian, prosecutor in the province and former member of parliament, said Menbal has a Muslim majority, while Manshiet Menbal, 10 kilometers away, has Coptic majority. "The Christians of the two villages - he explains - have nothing to do with the fight that took place in Manshiet Menbal. The young people were attacked just because they are Christian." Two young Muslim men were arrested by police in Menbal. In the coming days there will be a reconciliation meeting between the two communities. "Now - he adds - the security forces are trying to arrest some young Copts. They have become a bargaining chip to seek reconciliation."

AsiaNews sources underline that the attacks against the Coptic community are now a daily occurrence and are being ignored by the police, who because of the climate of chaos, let communities resolve disputes among themselves, although this can result in dead or wounded. The most serious incident took place on April 7 in front of the Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, where a group of Islamists attacked funerals of four Christians killed in sectarian clashes that took place on April 5 in the district of Khosous, on the outskirts of the capital, with stones and Molotov cocktails. The assault, which took place before the eyes of the police, left two dead and over 80 injured. A church building caught fire.

Link to Asianews…..

"Hands Off My Church" -- Young Catholics Call for Silent March Against Hostility to Catholics in Avignon

(Avignon) On Monday, the 20th of May a march will take place in the south French city of Avignon against anti-Christianity, The initiative is being planned by a group of young Catholics. They are reacting with it against the increasing violence against priests, religious and ecclesiastical facilities in the city of St. Ruf. The most recent incident was a violent attack of four suspected North African Muslims against a priest of the St. John Society on May 13th.  The four attackers struck the priest unconscious.

The march isn't only directed against the antagonistica and aggressive disposition of parts of the Muslim  inhabitants of the city, rather in general against the anti-Church climate.  In the demonstration, the organizers deplore the scandal "Piss Christ" from April 2011, as a museum in Avignon as an "art work" of a crucifix placed in the urine of the "artist".  Or against the insulting parades through the streets of the "city of the Popes" and the damage of a cemetery of Valréas.  "The anti-Christian hate grows (blasphemous theater pieces, desecrated churches etc...)"  is named in the outcry of the young Catholics.  "We are complaining with emphasis on the lack of a reaction by the authorities and a part of the media, when it comes to the desecration and profanation and we complain with stress on the absence of any reaction against the violent attack on a man of the Church."

The initiators also call out not to tolerate hostility to the Church. "We observe the Cathophobia as an attack against the identity of France of of the French."  The young Catholics are calling upon the "World culture and the homo-lobby".

The young Catholics call upon the  "World Culture and the homo-lobby", in their struggle against homophobia, "to put a stop to our defamation". [Good luck with that.]

"We appeal that the State President and the Interior Minister who are so prompt to condemn the poor situation of Muslims, hostility against Islam and anti-Semitism, to do their duty by Catholics, who have been defamed and injured by anti-Christian attacks.  We are not second class citizens."

With their appeal, the initiators call upon "all people of good will", to "take part in our protest" themselves.  The March begins on Monday, the 20th of May at 2pm at the Place du Palais of the Popes.   "We hope that many French Muslims and Jewish believers will take part in the silent march".   A logo has been created for the demonstration.  A black edged, yellow hand with the slogan:  "Hands off of My Church".  The colors recall on the Identity Movement, a structureless, informal and spontaneous new movement,  which has its origin in France.


Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Una Fides

Link to katholisches...

Religious Priest Attacked in "Arab-Islamic Zone" of Avignon -- Archbishop Denounces Increasing Violence

(Avignon) A priest of the Catholic Community of St. John was assaulted on Monday night on the open road. The attackers, four men of North African origin, presumably Muslims, beat up Father Gregoire,  till two other members of the Communauté de Saint-Jean came to the rescue. Father Gregoire was lying unconscious on the ground. He was taken to hospital, where he stayed overnight for observation. He suffered numerous bruises, bruises and a broken nose.

The incident occurred in the southern French city of Avignon. Father Gregoire was, as is usual for the Community of St. John, on the street in the habit.

Monsignor Jean-Pierre Cattenoz, the Archbishop of Avignon was at a Tuesday morning press conference to publicize the serious aggression. The archbishop called for increased security measures in the district of Saint Ruif. Monsignor Cattenoz complained increasing attacks against Catholic priests and religious Affected were mostly members of the Community of St. John, which are particularly active in the pastoral district.

The neighborhood, named after the saintly founder of the city,  is today the "Arab-Muslim region of Avignon," in which was "Sharia in Action", the Observatoire de l'islamization .

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Observatoire de la Christianophobia

Saudi Arabia: Woman Becomes Christian and Flees -- 6 Years and 300 Lashes For her Collaborator

(Riyadh) A Saudi court has sentenced two men to several years of imprisonment and additional flogging, because they have helped a woman to become  Christian and to escape from Saudi Arabia. The daily newspaper Al-Hayat has reported this . The criminal division of the city of Al Jabar has sentenced the Lebanese Christians to six years in prison and 300 lashes. The second man, a Saudi citizen, was sentenced to two years in prison and 200 lashes. Both were colleagues of the woman and announced to appeal against the judgment.

The case became known in 2012, as the media reported on the illegal departure of the Saudi woman, "the young woman from Al Jabar" is how she became known. Saudi women can not leave the country without the consent of their fathers, husbands or guardians. The young woman is believed to be currently in an unknown location, probably in Sweden.

The father of former Muslim woman from the area of ​​Al-Khobar, which was converted to Christianity, had identified the two men. The charge was that they had convinced the woman to give up Islam and helped her with a fake passport to escape from Saudi Arabia.

In the Wahhabi Kingdom, one of the strictest Islamic countries of the world, the Sharia is Islamic law is applied in a particularly radical form. Muslims who convert to another religion can be sentenced to death. Therefore, the woman had left the country hastily.

According to press reports, the woman has taken refuge in Sweden, where she is protected by a charity. The young woman appeared last year in a video which was posted on YouTube in which she explained to profess Christ and to have accepted Christianity through baptism. 

The father of the woman called  the Saudi government to return his daughter  in November 2012. The Saudi embassy in Sweden has been active in "diplomatic channels".

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Asianews

Shots Disturb Christians in Istanbul, Turkey

(Constantinople) At an Armenian church in Istanbul an unidentified man fired seven shots from his rifle on Sunday. Panic broke out among the believers who were gathered in the church for Easter.

The Turkish press reported that an intimidation campaign took place yesterday against Christian communities of Istanbul which concerns Surp Hovhannes about the Armenian Church. As the Armenian Archbishop Aram Atesyan said, the gunman threatened the Christians in the church, "You are too many!" As the Archbishop said, a young Armenian Christian was beaten on Sunday in front of another church in the nearby district Samatya. Other Christian communities of Istanbul were also victims of assault and intolerance in the past days.

In Atesehir a group of 40 people attacked the New Hope Lutheran Church on 27 April. They pelted the church with stones and smashed the stained glass windows. The next day, a group plundered the Greek Orthodox Church of Burgas Ada. All the incidents took place in Istanbul.

According to Archbishop Atesyan “with these attacks they want to stoke fear among the members of our communities” who in Turkey have been repeatedly victims of violence and discrimination in recent years. In 2006 the Catholic priest Andrea Santoro was murdered in Trabzon, in Malatya three Protestants in 2007 and 2010 in Antioch, the Catholic Bishop Padovese.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi Image: Christians in the East

Link to Katholisches...

Religious Leaders Demand the Release of Syrian Bishops

Edit: earlier it was reported from many different sources that two Bishops who were kidnapped in Syria were to be released.  It turns out that they are still in captivity, and increasingly, the reports of this tragedy have aroused even the major news media.

[charismanews] Religious leaders from around the world have stepped up their pleas for the safe return of two Syrian bishops who were kidnapped April 22 by armed men as they were driving near the war-torn city of Aleppo.

The kidnappers, who have not been identified, abducted Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Boulos Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Youhanna Ibrahim, both of Aleppo, while they were undertaking a “humanitarian mission” to help Syria’s Christian minority, according to Syrian Christian expatriates in the U.S.

The bishops’ Syrian Orthodox driver was killed in the attack.

Since 2011, more than 70,000 Syrians have died in fighting in the bloody civil war between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad and rebels seeking to oust Assad’s strong-arm regime.

Link to charismanews.com...

Cardinal: Christians Have a Tragic Lack of Knowledge About Islam

(Kah.net) Milan Cardinal Angelo Scola: "In Europe and the USA there is a very significant indifference about Islam. We are, in the truest sense of the word, ignorant. If we ask the average Christian about Islam, we get tragic answers." This is what Milan's Angelo Cardinal Scola said according to Radio Vatican. In a society becoming increasingly more international and in the growing religious diversity, Christians need a fundamental understanding of Islam. Scola sees the metropolitan See of Milan also as "a bridge, it is an opportunity, to meet the East and to understand, upon entering in an inter religious dialog.

Both Syrian Bishops Released by Rebels

(Damaskus) Two Syrian Bishops who were kidnapped yesterday, the Syrian-Orthodox Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim and the Greek Orthodox Boutros Yazigi should be free again and released in Aleppo. This was reported by by the Orthodox Partriarcate to Reuters. Already this afternoon there was a report released by Arabic section of Catholic News Service Zenit. Zenit states that the release had been made possible through negotiation by "the head of the Russian Orthodox Curxh, the Greek Foreign Minister and the UN special envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi".

From Aleppo there has been no report this far. In any case the communication with the embattled city is difficult. The report of the release has been released by another important source, the Oeuvre d’Orient, a Christian relief organization from France, which traditionally has good contacts to Syria's Christians. "According to our Surian sources both bishops were released around 2pm and can be found in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias of Aleppo", is what the Internet site of Oeuvre, that was "pleased" over the release of the Bishops. "At the same time the relief organization condemned the murder of the Syrian-Orthodox Deacon, who was driving the car for both bishops.“. The perpetrators had shot him immediately at the time of the abduction..

The Oeuvre d’Orient appealed to the international community of nations, to work for the release of two abducted priests who have been held for months at an unknown location.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Missionline

http://www.katholisches.info/2013/04/23/die-beiden-in-syrien-entfuhrten-bischofe-sind-frei/

Islamics Attack Marian Procession on Good Friday

(Melilla) in the Spanish enclave of Melilla on the North African coast, the traditional liturgical celebrations on the night of Good Friday were overshadowed by a clash between Christians and Muslims.  Drunken Muslims insulted the procession from the terrace of a restaurant.  The procession carried through the streets a statue of the Virgin Mary, who is particularly revered in Melilla in the miraculous image of the Virgin of Solitude.

Shortly after the statue of the Virgen de la Soledad was carried  out of the Sacred Heart Church in procession, there were  obscene insults on the Mother of God by drunken Muslims from the roadside. When they were asked by the Christians to stop, the Muslims reacted violently, throwing bottles, plates, chairs and tables on the Catholic procession participants and with palpable results. It broke panic among the faithful.  As a result, there was a fierce fight until the police arrived. Four Muslims were arrested and four injured who had to be patched up.

The procession was to be continued after the interruption. The incident was captured on video.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Commission of Melilla distanced itself from the provocateurs.

Muslim

Edit: it was confirmed at the Daily Mail.

 H/t: Roman Catholic Imperialist.

Libyan Islamists Prey on Christians -- Christians Graves are Desecrated

Libya (Benghazi) Islamists do continue to hunt for Christians working in the North African country. They are summarily accused of  proselytism. The recent incident takes place in the Mediterranean city of Benghazi, the capital of Cyrenaica. In the second largest city of Libya 48 Egyptian Christians were arrested, as Asianews reported. These are Orthodox Copts, who were reported by Libyan Islamists. The Christians, merchants and traders who visited the market of Benghazi, are alleged to have conducted religious images and representations of themselves. A  video seized from the police  shows how Christians are being held in a small room of Salafists. They appear physically exhausted. Many wounds and abrasions are visible. The Islamists have shaved all Christians bald.

The incident has caused displeasure among the inhabitants of Benghazi. Only in October, it had risen against the Salafi militias accused of perpetrating the attack on the American consulate, where the U.S. ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed.

The authorities reported on Thursday that Egyptian Christians had not been arrested for religious reasons, but for violation of immigration laws. Only in mid-February, four Christians were arrested, an Egyptian, a South African, a Swede and a South Korean with U.S. citizenship. They are accused of having spread Bibles and other Christian materials.

The spread of Islamic extremism is affecting the Catholic orders, which have been active in part for a long time on the territory of modern Libya. They have built hospitals and work with elderly people. Only in January the Islamists have succeeded in forcing the Franciscan Sisters of the Child Jesus of Barce and the Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Beida, to leave the country. In October 2012, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Spoleto were forced to leave Libya due to the constant threats and attacks by the Islamists, as Father Dominique Rézeau reported.

"Not a day goes by without Christian graves being desecrated and destroyed," lamented Bruno Daimasso to the magazine Tempi, the gardener of the Italian cemetery in Tripoli. "The remains of the Christians are torn from their graves and scattered in the cemetery," as Jeune Afriquereported. "The Libyan authorities have arrived, took photos and did nothing," said Daimasso.

According to Dominique Rézeau there are officially some 200,000 Christians who lived in Libya before the fall of Gaddafi, and three percent of the population, since the so-called Arab Spring, "only a few are thousand left." As the Vicar Apostolic Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli confirmed, the churches in the Kyreinaika are indeed still open, the situation for Christians is however "very critical”.

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Syria: Christian Dragged From Bus and Shot, Because he Wore a Cross

(Damascus) A Syrian Christian of the Armenian Church was put to death by Islamists on the road to Aleppo. As the news agency Fides reported while Christians were traveling on a bus towards Aleppo,  the bus was stopped by armed Islamists, who had set up a roadblock. The Islamists were scanning the bus, to relieve the passengers relieved  of possessions and looking for potential victims of kidnappings for ransom.  On the 9th of February two priests were  kidnapped in this way. The Armenian Catholic priest Michel Kayyal and the Greek Orthodox priest Maher Mahfouz. Both are still in the hands of Islamist gangs.

As the Islamists in the bus investigated the travelers, they also encountered a Syrian Christians Yohannes an  Armenian, who wore a cross on a necklace. They dragged him out of the bus and shot him at close range. For safety reasons,  as Fides reports, they omitted the messenger service on the publication of his full name in order to protect the family of the victim. As the Armenian Church announced, he is a "martyr", because the Christian was killed in "odium fidei", out of hatred for the Christian faith.

Just recently, a group of Christians to reach Beirut to escape the perilous situation in Syria. Their bus was hit by a rocket in flight. Two Christians, Boutros and his 22 year old fiancée Naraya, who wanted to get married soon, were killed. Islamists then stole everything they could steal in this bus brutally brought to a halt.

The Christian churches in Syria have decided not to pay a ransom for kidnapped Christians. A decision that was made after much consideration, as Fides reported, because Christians do not want to be prisoners of a lucrative Islamist kidnapping industry. If they were to pay, it would just such but inflame.

Instead, call the churches to the international community to take action against the inhumane practice of kidnapping in Syria. The Christians of Syria urge all Christians to support through prayer and spiritual sacrifices. Fides reported that the church tours in Syria, it is agreed that the rescue of the hostages, including the two priests, is to lead a spiritual battle and not as fundraising to collect money  for ransom payments.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Faith

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