In the wake of the Taliban's brutal attack in Pakistan, Christians come together in show of support and solidarity

Over 140 dead, including 130 children

Following the abominable and devastating attack on a Pakistani school by Islamic gunmen, the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) of the Catholic Church has condemned the massacre.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Taliban jihadists attacked an army-run school in Peshawar on December 16, an attack that left 141 people dead, 132 of which were children.

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"We grieve and stand with the families of the children affected and killed in this cowardly attack," said NCJP's national director, Friar Emmanuel Yousuf Mani, in a joint statement with Executive Director Cecil Shane Chaudhry.

"We are running out of demands for human rights and now plead to the government, political parties, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and judiciary to set aside all their personal and political differences and join hands to end this menace of terrorism," the NCJP's statement continued.

The group also called on the Pakistani government, state officials and intelligence agencies to "take serious and effective measures" to prevent another attack such as this, and to "ensure safety of all children and citizens of Pakistan."

In one Pakistani province, Christians have decided that they will not hold special Christmas celebrations, and instead will mark the event with a Christmas mass.

Orthodox Church Bishop Ernest Jacob said that the churches "have decided to hold Christmas services and special prayer at all churches of the city and will not hold any celebrations.

"it is the deadliest assault of the country's history and the Christian community can never hold religious festivities at such a somber time."

Pakistan's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, called a meeting of parliamentary leaders and has begun to set up a National Action Plan against terrorism within the week. He also lifted a moratorium on the death penalty.

"Let it be very clear that there will be no distinction between good and bad Taliban," said Sharif.

On December 17, Pope Francis commented on the attacks in Pakistan-also referencing attacks that took place in Australia and Yemen-condemning them as "inhuman terrorist acts."

"I would like to pray together with you for the victims of the inhuman terrorist acts carried out in the past few days in Australia, Pakistan and Yemen," he said to an audience of tens of thousands who had gathered for the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.

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