Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Groups of Christian Pakistanis in Italy have announced a protest in Rome tomorrow, 10 March, from 3.00 – 5.00 pm, in front of the Embassy of Pakistan to Italy. Some politicians and unionists have confirmed their attendance at the initiative – which intends to stigmatise the Government for not protecting Minister Bhatti and the scarce protection for minorities. However, priests, men and women religious, Catholic laity, and Catholic associations will not attend.
As reported to Fides, the Catholic faithful, in fact, wish to formally disassociate themselves with this type of initiative which may have the consequence of escalating into conflict with the Pakistani Government and may have negative repercussions for the local Catholic community in Pakistan.
The Pakistani Catholic community in Italy, after recently having organised a Memorial Mass for Minister Bhatti, celebrated by Card. Jean-Louis Tauran (see Fides 7/3/2011), has expressed its desire to meet with the Holy Father to thank him for his words spoken in defence of the Christians who suffer in Pakistan and for his commitment to religious freedom. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2011)
