The toll from violent explosions in Nigeria and the Philippines is still being counted today. Coordinated attacks on churches and in other areas were Christians were gathering in Nigeria killed at least 38 people in total so far with many more critically wounded. In the Philippines a bomb exploded at a chapel during Christmas Mass and wounded a priest and 10 members of the congregation.
The New York Times has coverage of the developing story in Nigeria the describes an apparently coordinated series of attacks.
On Friday night, a series of bombs were detonated during Christmas Eve celebrations in villages near the central city of Jos, killing at least 32 people, the state police commissioner said; more than 50 were wounded in the attacks.
Nigeria’s army chief, Azubuike Ihejirika, described “a series of bomb blasts” that he said did not seem related to the religious clashes that flare up sporadically between the country’s Muslim and Christian populations, roughly equal in size.
“That is terrorism,” Mr. Ihejirika said. “It’s a very unfortunate incident.”
The Associated Press has this on the bombing in the Philippines:
The device was hidden in a ventilation window near the ceiling of the chapel, which is on the compound where the provincial police office is located in Jolo town on Jolo Island, Sulu provincial police said.
The island is a stronghold of al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, but it wasn’t clear who was responsible for the bombing. Investigators recovered parts of a cell phone they believe detonated the device.
All of the wounded were civilians. One woman remained at a hospital for observation later Saturday, but police said one did not need hospital treatment and the others have been treated and sent home.
The Rev. Romeo Villanueva, 72, said a newly ordained priest, the Rev. Ricky Bacoldol, who was assisting him, was thrown off his feet by the blast impact and suffered a slight leg injury.
All of this is desperately sad confirmation of the key point of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Christmas Day sermon that draws attention to all those around the world suffering violence because of their Christian faith. The Bishop of Washington makes a similar point this week in his op-ed piece that draws attention to the plight of Christians in the Muslim world.
Prayers ascend around the world for all those who have been killed or injured in this violence that has taken place on the day we celebrate the Incarnation of the Prince of Peace.