Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Glasgow (Agenzia Fides) – The British and Western Governments, in providing cooperative aid to the Pakistani government, should place some conditions upon it: full respect for religious freedom, protection of persecuted Christian communities, the protection of human rights by ending social and religious discrimination. So says Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, who spoke today in Glasgow (Scotland) and presented the report “Persecuted and Forgotten”, drawn from the work “Aid to the Church in Need”.
Fides sources say that recently the British government announced that it will double the funds for cooperation for the Pakistani government, arriving at the remarkable figure of 445 million pounds. Faced with this announcement, and recalling the recent murder of Minister Bhatti, Cardinal O'Brien said: “We invite the United Kingdom to obtain, in advance, specific assurances from the Pakistani Government - and from other Governments - before giving aid. To increase aid to Pakistan where religious freedom is not protected and where those who raise their voices to defend it are murdered is an anti-Christian foreign policy.” The Cardinal added: “We must urgently place pressure on the Pakistani government - and other Arab Governments – for the protection of religious freedom. The allocation of aid by Western countries must be matched by a commitment of respect for human rights.” The 2011 Report “Aid to the Church in Need” reveals that 75% of the persecution of the believers regards Christians, and notes that the situation of Christian communities has deteriorated, among others, in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/3/2011)
