May God forgive those who destroy churches, Baghdad priest says
The community met for mass in the church destroyed by an explosion. Baptism brings joy and defeats the logic of violence.
Baghdad (AsiaNews/AFP) Signs of hope are emerging out of the ruins of the churches hit last Saturday night. In Baghdad's Greek-Catholic church a newly-born was baptised on Sunday.
"Our church was demolished," Fr Mansour al-Moukhallessi said whilst staring at the ashes and blackened walls left by the fire that engulfed his church.
Originally from Belgium, Father al-Moukhallessi has been in Iraq for over 40 years and is not prepared to give up to the terrorist violence.
He said pointedly that "the Christian community met today to pray, not to make any political or religious statement. We are gathered here to ask God to forgive those who destroy churches and places of worship".
During Sunday mass, he said that "we want defeat the logic of violence. On this day the son of the church custodian who survived the explosion will be baptised. From the ashes, new life comes". The parents named their child Savio to honour Jesus Christ, the Saviour.
"After the blast, Father Mansour came to the church right away to see the damages," the child's father said, "and confirmed that he would carry out his duty as usual . . . Then, I insisted that he baptise my son during the Eucharistic celebration".
Little is left of the church. Only an icon of the Virgin was spared; everything else was destroyed by the fire. Parishioners are still shocked; never the less, they chose to dress up in their normal Sunday best.
As the priest poured the Holy water on the child's head, the little boy cried and the faithful applauded and congratulated the parents.
Father Mansour ended the Eucharistic celebration with a prayer to the Lord: "Save Your people and do not abandon us for we rely on you".
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