John Boehner earlier today on the recent Catholic Church bombing in Iraq:

I rise today to join the Obama Administration in condemning the recent terrorist attack against Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad, which left more than 60 dead and another 75 wounded. In the most hideous of ways, we have been reminded of the of the enemy’s desire to seek the death and destruction of anyone who opposes its attempt to impose a pernicious worldview.
This attack occurred during Sunday Mass, just as the congregation rose to recite, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” As a Catholic, as someone raised to cherish life and defend its sanctity, it is difficult to contemplate the twisting of the human soul required to shatter that peace and commit such a senseless act. It’s even more difficult to summon the restraint required to ease the trembling such hatred provokes. The enemy keeps innocents of all faiths in its sights. In August, men and women affiliated with a Christian non-government organization working to provide eye care to people in remote and destitute areas of Afghanistan were executed in cold blood by the Taliban. In the last two weeks, a devastating and deadly bombing attack occurred during a worship service at a mosque in Pakistan. In the case of the recent cargo plane bombing attempt, the President indicated the bombing packages were addressed to Jewish synagogues in Chicago. These attacks are designed to bring division where there is diversity, and chaos where there is stability. As time passes, as national debates and attention shifts, it is easy for the real horror and tragedy of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 to become faded and blurred memories. But the hateful ideology that drives these attacks, the global movement to reject Western culture and values and religion is still plotting, planning, and attacking where it can. We were wrong to ignore the warning signs in the 1990s, when we witnessed a steady escalation of attacks, which we treated as isolated incidents. As Americans, as keepers of the truth that ‘He who gave us life, gave us liberty,’ we must spare no effort to protect people of all faiths who oppose radical Islamic extremists. Our vigilance in this regard must be perpetual and total.
As Christians, we are taught that suffering and disappointment can enlarge our hearts and make us more grateful for the blessings in our lives. In this season of thanksgiving, let us renew our gratitude for the brave men and women overseas standing guard in defense of our freedom and taking the fight to the enemy.