Iraqi Christians mark anniversary of massacre

by Tom Gallagher on Nov. 01, 2011

According to AFP, an international news agency:

Hundreds of Iraqi Christians filled Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad amid tight security on Monday to mark the first anniversary of a massacre of worshippers and priests by militants.

The church's interior is still pock-marked by bullet holes, even a year after the attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda's local affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq, that killed 44 worshippers, two priests and seven security forces members.
Robes of the two priests who were killed were hung inside the church.

And large pictures of those killed in the attack hung outside the church yard, along with posters with messages including "We condemn the killing of Iraqi Christians" and "Where is the international voice?"

Security was very tight at the church, with rifle-armed police on rooftops in the area and security forces searching people and their bags as they entered.

The attack, and violence in Iraq in general, has deeply affected worshippers at the church.

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