The Voice of the Martyrs Canada | Church bombed during Christmas Mass

Details: Source(s): AsiaNews; Date: 30 December 2010

(Reading time: 1 minute)

Photo from AsiaNews

A bomb exploded in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart in Mindanao, Philippines, during Mass on the morning of December 25. The blast blew out the chapel's roof and wounded 11 people. Authorities are still trying to identify those responsible for the attack, but police suspect it is the work of the Islamist group Abu Sayyaf, which allegedly is connected to al-Qaida and Indonesia-based militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.

Pray for those injured in this attack. Pray for the church members as they recover and rebuild from this tragic incident. Pray that Christians in the Philippines will demonstrate the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

To learn more about the opposition facing Christians in the Philippines, visit the Philippines Country Report.

Country Information

Population
110,818,325 (July 2021 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Tagalog (24.4), Bisaya/Binisaya (11.4), Cebuano (9.9), Ilocano (8.8), Hiligaynon/Ilonggo (8.4), Bikol/Bicol (6.8), Waray (4), other (26.2)

Religion (%)
Christianity (85.6), Islam (6), Other (7.4)

Leader
President Rodrigo Duterte (2016)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and customary law

Statistics provided by CIA World Factbook.

Pray for the Philippines

Pray for those in the various villages of Mindanao who have been victimized by rebel groups. May they not pursue any form of retaliation, acknowledging that vengeance belongs to God alone – the Righteous Judge. Instead, may these believers be granted His grace and strength to not only forgive the perpetrators but to also earnestly intercede for them. Let's join our Christian brothers and sisters by praying for a mighty outpouring of God's love and power to take place, compelling many more to seek repentance and salvation, for only then can His righteousness and justice truly prevail.

end

Select a Region

Philippines News

Bomb Blasts Kill At Least Twenty

Coordinated bombs at a cathedral in Jolo, southern Philippines, killed at least 20 people and injured over 80 on January 27th. The first bomb went off during the church service; the second exploded outside the door, as people fled and troops responded to the disaster. Those killed included five sold
...

Read more
Hostages Escape Militant Captivity

After a full three months of fighting, the Armed Forces of the Philippines are now in control of all but a half-kilometre grid square of Marawi city. To date, the battle has claimed the lives of 573 militants, 128 soldiers and police, and at least 45 civilians. The progress has been slowed and compli
...

Read more
Young Girl's Unwavering Faith

Photo: Open Doors USA

In the Philippines, one girl has stood firm for her Christian faith despite her young age. Not too long after accepting Christ, Jen-Jen began to experience pressure from adult authority figures, one of whom was a schoolteacher with militant views. One day, the teacher announced
...

Read more
Persecution Incidents on the Rise

Nine Christian civilians were reportedly shot dead at a militant-run checkpoint in the besieged city of Marawi in the southern Philippines on May 23rd. Sources report that local residents identified the nine who were slain as Christians, explaining that the victims had been pulled from a truck and t
...

Read more