Christian and Muslim Leaders Condemn Iraq Church Bombs

(BBC) – Pope John Paul II said he deplored the “unjust aggressions” and declared solidarity with Iraqi Catholics. Iraq ‘s top Shia Muslim leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, said the explosions “targeted Iraq ‘s unity, stability and independence”. Car bombs exploded outside four churches in Baghdad and one in Mosul , during Sunday evening services. The first blast happened outside an Armenian church in Baghdad . Three other churches in the city were hit within minutes, including a Syrian Catholic church. The Baghdad explosions killed 10 people and injured dozens. A fifth church was attacked in the northern city of Mosul , 350km (220 miles) north of Baghdad . Police said one person died and 11 people were injured. Iraqi police found a sixth bomb outside a Baghdad church and managed to disarm it, the US military said in a statement. On Monday, the Pope sent a message of condolence to Catholic patriarch of Iraq , Emmanuel III Delly. The Pope “firmly deplored the unjust aggressions against those whose only aim is to collaborate for peace and reconciliation in the country”, the Vatican said. A statement from Ayatollah Sistani’s office said the attacks were “terrible crimes” and urged the government and the people to work together to end the attacks against Iraqis. “We stress the need to respect the rights of Christians in Iraq and those of other religious faiths and their right to live in their home, Iraq , peacefully,” the statement said. The Russian Orthodox Church said the attacks were an attempt to spark a religious conflict.