Prayers for the persecuted.

Pakistan.

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Sectarian violence will most likely accelerate in Iraq as troops withdraw, while in other Islamic countries - right now Pakistan, violence is increasing. Now we all know Islam is a religion of peace, don't we? Therefore we can only blame extremists for such crimes. Ignorant and naive as I may be, I do not buy that. Call me a Crusader if you must...

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Burned alive.

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Pakistani special forces have taken control of the town of Gojra (Punjab) after yesterday’s bloody episode in which at least 8 people - including 4 women and a child of 7 years - were burned alive and 20 others wounded. At least 50 houses of Christians were burned and destroyed and thousands of faithful fled to escape execution. Relatives of the victims refuse to take care of dead bodies and do not want funerals until the culprits are arrested. Some of the killed have been identified: Hamed Masih, 50, Asia Bibi, 20; Asifa Bibi, 19, Imam Bibi, 22; Musa 7; Akhlas Masih, 40, Parveen, 50.

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At least 3 thousand Muslims, after they have were incited by local religious authorities, marched to the Christian village Gojra founded 50 years ago. Groups of young Muslims - perhaps from the Sunni group Sipah-e-Sahabaha - with their faces covered started to shoot wildly. The villagers fled, but some were trapped and were killed by the uncontrollable fire unleashed by the mob.

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Some Christians argue that although the police were present during the attack at Gojra, the thugs were not apprehended. Other witnesses say that after a while the police tried to stop them, but the militants also attacked the police injuring some. - AsiaNews

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Fatima
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Did I mention I'm doing a painting on the apparitions at Fatima? It deals primarily with the so called Third Secret which is really just the third part of the whole secret. I don't know if it will turn out - I don't want it to be too pious - but it is difficult to paint visions and messages - the worst part is becoming too literal about it. No - the worst part about it is that I'm painting it. But I digress.

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Many people think Fatima is over - that it was all neatly wrapped up and concluded with JPII. I don't think so. And no, I do not believe there is some unpublished part of the secret - I think everything has been revealed - the mistake - in my opinion - is to believe the relevance of Fatima is past, that the prophecies have been fulfilled. I'm not sure about that.

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Did you know that the appearance of Glinda, the good witch in the Wizard of Oz was uncannily reminiscent of Our Lady's apparition in Fatima? Well, just the fact Glinda was all dressed up in white and light like a Queen, and she arrived in a globe of light. I doubt the producers knew of Fatima when they made Oz, although some one's muse may have. Again - I digress.

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BTW. Did you know painters and artists some times have muses? Frequently painters understand things differently from non-painters - I think the phenomena is referred to as inspiration by some. I could be wrong though. I knew a painter who... oh, never mind, that can be another post.