Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rawalpindi (Fides Service) – In Pakistan Christians will live Christmas with top security measures but with firm hope Bishop Anthony Lobo of Islamabad-Rawalpindi told Fides days after the 14 December bomb blast against the President Pervez Musharraf. A powerful bomb exploded seconds after the presidential car passed in Rawalpindi, in northern Pakistan.
“The attack is a motive for concern for all and for Christians especially as Christmas draws near. It will be a Christmas with strict security in front of churches all over the country. This has been necessary since churches were targeted two Christmases ago and Christian worshippers were killed. We have asked the police to provide special surveillance for events and religious services” the Bishop told Fides.
Commenting the attack on Pakistan’s President Musharraf Bishop Lobo said: “We are waiting to hear the findings of the judiciary enquiry. The perpetrators would appear to be militant Muslims angered by his siding with the United States in the fight against terrorism. His change of policy after the 9/11 attack provoked extremist revolts”.
Why should an attack on the President increase fear among Christians? Bishop Lobo explained: “The President, a Muslim, is demonstrating that he is tolerant and moderate. More than once he has stated that religion cannot be used for political ends. He has always had an attitude of fairness towards Christians, eliminating existing discrimination, such as the voting law (in the past political identity was connected with religion: voters could vote only candidates of their own faith). He returned schools nationalised by previous governments to the Church. And if we think that the Christian community in Pakistan (2,5% of a mainly Muslim population) is certainly not a powerful lobby – without representatives in the military, or academic, or business worlds, – these results are even more appreciable. Musharraf shows respect for the rights of everyone and he is earning the esteem of Pakistani Christians”.
Bishop Lobo said “despite growing fear of terrorism, we will live Christmas not as aliens but doing everything possible to share its Message of harmony with neighbours, our Muslim brothers and sisters especially. We will celebrate Christmas services as citizens of Pakistan, fully integrated in the nation in the national Urdu language and traditional poems and hymns, ”.
Christmas in Pakistan will also be a time of solidarity with isolated villages: catechists, Catholic organisations, parish Caritas groups, will carry gifts and a message of comfort and hope to needy families in rural villages.
As Christmas approaches through Fides Bishop Lobo launches a message: “I would encourage all believers not to lose hope: we must continue on our journey in this life with faith. Despite our failings and sins, we must never be discouraged, never give up hope, because the Lord is Emmanuel, that is God-with-us”.
(PA) (Fides Service 18/12/2003 lines 47 words 488)
