Christians

These were the last words 45-year-old Medhat Saad Hakim heard before he was shot in the head on his doorstep last month.

The gunmen dragged Hakim's screaming mother outside the house before going back inside and shootinghis father dead. The attackers then looted the house before torching it. His mother, Nabila Halim, survived the attack.

"So many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others," Francis said during morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, according to Vatican Radio. "How many times have we heard -- all of us, around the neighborhood and elsewhere -- 'But to be a Catholic like that, it's better to be an atheist.' It is that: scandal."

In a nationwide appeal for support, Chairman of VCC, Pastor Allan Navuki told listeners of Radio Vanuatu to join the march today to pledge their support for their Christian faith.

He said the march was decided after VCC was advised by the government about a planned major conference of the Muslim faith in Vanuatu.

Pastor Navuki confirmed the VCC had also refused a reconciliation proposal from the minority Muslim faith.

A dawn prayer service, led by inter-denominational church groups, was then held at the National Parliament house, starting at 5am.

Youths from churches walked in groups from as far as Gerehu, Morata and Waigani, to the Parliament house to join in the dawn prayer service.

The service was led by Pastor Joseph Walters and other church leaders. Prayers seeking forgiveness as well as thanksgiving were done this morning.

Youths representing each province led prayers for the 22 provinces in the country.