Islamic State Attacks Catholic Church in Istanbul

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack that killed one man at a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 28. Video footage shows two masked Islamists entering the church and opening fire on a congregation of about 35 to 40 people.

The Islamic State said it “attacked a gathering of Christian unbelievers during their polytheistic ceremony” at the Santa Maria Church in the Buyukdere neighborhood in Istanbul “in response to calls by Islamic State leaders to attack Jews and Christians everywhere.”

Two members of the Islamic State were arrested, one from Tajikistan, the other from Russia, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

A bad sign: Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro, the apostolic vicar of Istanbul, said the attack happened while the congregation was praying, adding that it was a “bad sign” of “religious intolerance.”

Religious clash: The Trumpet has long forecast a violent clash between Catholicism and Islam. Bible prophecy shows that the Catholic Church will respond strongly to the terror inflicted by radical Islam, resulting in the bloodiest war mankind will ever see.

Learn more: Read “How to Make the Pope Furious.”