Missionaries among wounded in deadly church attack
Five people were killed yesterday when grenades exploded during a service at the Protestant International Church in Islamabad, Pakistan. "These are the worst killings against Christians in the nation's history," reports the BBC. It's unclear whether there were one or two attackers and whether the attacker(s) survived. Today's papers are full of horrifying and ironic detail. The Washington Post reports, "Blood was splattered on the walls of the church up to its 30-foot ceiling. Glass and debris covered the floor, and outside, single-sheet copies of the day's hymns fluttered in the breeze."

"The blasts sundered bodies of worshipers and sent blood flying across the simple hall where the worshipers were listening to the sermon, having just finished singing 'This Is Holy Ground,' reports The New York Times. "After the outburst, a man's black loafer lay by the long table where white coffee cups were arranged for the post-service congregants." The sermon, says the Los Angeles Times, was on forgiveness and restoration, based on Psalm 103. "And we do forgive them," said Denis Sherbeck, who led the church's singing and prayers. "Like Jesus hanging on the cross said, 'Forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.' And they really don't know what they're doing."

Among the dead were a Pakistani, an Afghan, two Americans (Barbara Green and her daughter, Kristen Wormsley), and one person who remains unidentified due to the extent of his injuries. At least 40 parishioners were injured, but a German aid worker says "it's a miracle" there weren't more casualties. Indeed: several of the grenades (police estimate between 10 and 12 were thrown) did not explode.

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