Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “The Church’s mission continues making progress, amidst difficulties of all kinds: financial, political, etc, and amidst pressures from extremist factions. However, we do our best and we do not let ourselves be discouraged,” Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, told Agenzia Fides in a recent interview that took place while he was on his ad limina apostolorum visit at the Vatican.
“The Catholic population lives in poverty and with the economic difficulties that afflict the Church, as well. Some Islamic fundamentalist groups are making a campaign against Christianity, trying to make the people flee the country with their threats and intimidation and at times with forced conversions,” Archbishop Saldanha explained. “However, the Church continues her life, even under these pressures and difficulties. The number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life have diminished. The only desire of many youth is to immigrate, but those that remain are fairly active in pastoral activity.”
“We try to proclaim the Good News of Christ, however we have to be careful because there are also laws, for instance the one on blasphemy, which is used against the Christians. We are often up against extremists that do not facilitate the work of evangelization. The government tries to control these situations, but it is not easy, even for the governmental forces. The government believes it can dialogue with these groups that are active mostly in the northwest region of the country, and who are trying to introduce “sharia.” As far as we are concerned, we see it as futile and it does not work. You cannot and should not leave room for these groups, otherwise they continue acquiring more and more strength and justification. They should be fought. Otherwise, their influence will spread to the entire country. Religious fanaticism is a problem for everyone, even for the Pakistani government and the moderate Muslims, not only for them minority groups.”
However, there are also experiences of dialogue and collaboration with Islam, such as the creation of the “Interreligious Committee for Peace,” in which they come together to meet one another, discuss common problems, and dialogue towards reconciliation.
The Church is active in the area of human rights. “We participated in the movement for reforming the judicial system, which took place in the country a few months ago. The Justice and Peace Commission is collaborating with other organizations in the defense of human rights, in the UN as well. There are many activities going on in this area. We are participating in the campaign for the democratization of the country and for religious freedom. Today, the country is taking steps forward in this direction.”
Archbishop Saldanha also mentioned the Church’s commitment to education. It is “a great responsibility in a country where the illiteracy rate is at 60%.” The Catholic schools are also open to Muslim children, who attend the same classes and study the same material as the Christian children.
“On this ad limina visit, we have also brought our problems before the Holy See, certain that we will be offered encouragement, hope, prayer, and concrete support.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/06/2008)
