Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Multan (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Pakistan, together in Multan for the Assembly of the Episcopal Conference, have strongly condemned the incident two days when Pastor Terry Jones set fire to the Koran. He had already risen to international headlines in September 2010 for threatening to make this sacrilegious act. “As Bishops of Pakistan we strongly condemn this: it is a gesture that does not reflect Christian values in any way nor the doctrine of the Church. We note with regret that someone who calls himself Pastor does not know his religion nor common decency,” said the statement sent to Fides.
“According to the true message of their faith, Christians are obliged to respect other faiths and other people,” continues the text. “Fundamentalism or extremism in any religion are deplorable. They constitute a threat to peace and harmony among believers of different faiths. There are more similarities than differences between believers of different faiths.” The Bishops call on the U.S. Government to take appropriate action and call on all citizens of Pakistan, Christians and Muslims, to provide a civil response, not “to add fuel to the fire.”
The burning of the Koran came in the midst of the Assembly of Bishops, in a week of discussions (March 20 to 25) about, among other things, the plight of Christians in Pakistan - with the related pastoral problems, the 'martyrdom' of Shahbaz Bhatti (they will send a formal request to the Holy See to recognise this), and the problems of interreligious dialogue.
In other news, Fides sources in Multan state that the Bishops are bitterly disappointed about the murder of two Christians belonging to the Salvation Army in Hyderabad. On 21 March, Younis Masih, 47 and Siddique Masih, 45, were gunned down in front of their church (and another two Christians were wounded), following a dispute with some Muslims. In protest, the Christian community of Hyderabad organised a day of mourning, closing schools and stores, and parading through the streets, demanding justice.
In response to these grave incidents, which demonstrate yet again the suffering by Christians, the Christian community in Pakistan has declared three days of fasting and prayer, in the spirit of Lent, beginning today, 23 March. In churches, where all people of good will have been made welcome to join the initiative, the faithful are praying for peace and stability in the Country.
Christians, says a statement sent to Fides, “recognise that we need God's mercy” and “we admit to wanting to pray intensely for Governors and political leaders, in need of the light and grace of God.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2011)
