ASIA/PAKISTAN - Saint Columban Missionaries work despite difficulties and tension to announce and live the Word of God building bridges of peace

Thursday, 11 October 2007

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Mission continues despite difficulties, tension and violence and the Good News comforts and changes the lives of many families especially in remote forgotten areas of the country thanks to Saint Columban Missionaries who serve the poorest people of Pakistan.
The country, still under the leadership of general Pervez Musharraf, has recently experienced political uncertainty and an escalation of violence also against religious minorities with violence and attacks suicide bombings in various provinces.
Saint Columban Missionaries aware of the difficulties, continue to assist families victims of fundamentalist groups and those affected by earthquakes and natural disasters mainly in northern Pakistan.
“There is much to do. Many Catholics find life extremely difficult, but they keep the faith despite threats and intimidation”, say the missionaries who work mainly in city suburbs in Badina, Nagar Parkar, Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore. “We came here in answer God's call to announce and bear witness to the Good News of His love. We strive to build with all men and women of goodwill bridges of tolerance, understanding, reconciliation and peace”, say the missionaries who point out that in their work of humanitarian assistance they are often flanked by Muslims and that this is a way to promote harmony among believers and encourage interreligious dialogue and cooperation. Pakistan's Christians and Muslims can work together to help the poor and abandoned people. And this will help re-establish peace and harmony in a country where since it was founded after World War II, Muslims and Christians lived side by side for years. It is only recently with spreading fundamentalism that the situation has deteriorated. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/10/2007 righe 27 parole 279)


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