Thursday, April 15, 2010

Muslims Attack Philippine Cathedral; Christians of City Fear for Their Lives

The Catholic Culture website reports today that following an April 13, 2010 Islamist terrorist attack that destroyed 70 percent of his cathedral, a Philippine bishop and the other Christians of the city fear for their lives.

"It is the first time we are attacked so directly and with such force," said Bishop Martin Jumoad of the Territorial Prelature of Isabella. "I seriously fear for my life and the lives of the faithful."

He added, "I have prepared a pastoral letter calling on Catholics to stay in Basilan, which is our home, and asking them to remain calm, not to react to violence, and to pray for peace."

Although 81 percent of the Philippines' 88.7 million people are Catholic, the territory in which Bishop Jumoad ministers is predominantly Muslim, with only 27 percent of residents being Catholic.

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