Australian churches threatened (Good, LM)

Friday, January 07, 2011
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/TopStories/2011/01/07/Australian_churches_threatened_561093.html
Threats of terror attacks on at least four Australian churches prompted
police to protect thousands of Coptic Christians during Christmas Eve
services.
Police on Thursday surrounded the Coptic Orthodox churches in Sydney
after a bomb blast killed 21 people during a New Year's Eve Coptic
church service in Alexandria, Egypt. Coptic Churches around the world
are also on high alert as their Christmas Eve services are scheduled
for Friday (Australian time).
On Thursday night in Sydney, bomb searches and police helicopters were
part of the security measures that soured Christmas Eve celebrations.
Some church officials are worried that an attack may eventuate when
least expected on any on of their churches, monasteries or schools in
Australia.
A police detail searched St Antonious and St Paul parish in Guildford,
in Sydney's west, on Thursday afternoon prior to its 7pm Christmas Eve
services, a church official told AAP. Up to 700 parishioners were
estimated to be in attendance. During the service, teams of officers
surrounded the area while helicopters with spotlights searched the
local suburb.
'There were threats to our church - three or four churches in the
(Sydney) Coptic church,' said the man who asked not to be identified.
He said NSW Police contacted the church this week to say the Guildford
site and three others in Sydney had been the target of a terrorist
threat.
Archangel and St Bishoy at Mt Druitt, in Sydney's west, St Demiana and
St Athanasius at Punchbowl, in Sydney's southwest and St Mary and St
Merkorious, at Rhodes, were understood to be on the threat list.
A woman witnessed a police operation in her neighbourhood at Arncliffe,
where St Mark Coptic Church is located in Sydney's south.
'The police helicopter is sweeping the suburb with this massive spotlight,' the woman told AAP.
All of the churches cancelled their traditional dinners that would normally happen after Christmas Eve services
(they've probably been given these dinners as take-aways, LM)!
The spokesman said Thursday's threat, which resulted in no reported incidents, could have been a diversion.
'They want you to focus on the area that they're not going to be touching,' he said.
'And even though the threat was for Christmas Eve, they might do it on a normal Sunday. That's how they work.'
Police issued a statement to AAP following Thursday's operations.
'The NSW Police Force is closely monitoring international developments
in the wake of the attack on the Coptic community in Egypt,' the
statement read.
'Police have met with local Coptic leaders and are currently working with them to allay any fears within that community.'
Peter Mikhail attended the Guildford service and said the threats soured the service and have put fear into the congregation.
'It was not a nice way to be celebrating Christmas here in a country where you're supposed to be safe,' Mr Mikhail told AAP.
He said the traditionally long mass but had to be cut short at police request and people were dispersed immediately.
'We went to church today feeling quite apprehensive thinking oh my God' what if something does take place,' Mr Mikhail said"
(Bunch of cowards and whingers, LM)!