'Hundreds of fleeing Christians in Jaranwala': the cry of pain from the diocese of Faisalabad

The fear after the attacks on churches and homes of Christians for an unlikely accusation of blasphemy. Bishop Rehmat's message from the United States where he was visiting: "Let us pray to God for peace and ask the government of Pakistan for justice". The vicar general Fr. Tanvir: "The arrests and the ban on gatherings come late, the police could have prevented the violence. The blasphemy law should be changed immediately". The president of the Bishops' Conference visited the victims.

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - "In Jaranwala more than 900 Christian families are fleeing and hiding in the fields with women, the elderly and children to save their lives. These people are terrified and need immediate relief and protection, " says Fr. Abid Tanvir, vicar general of the diocese of Faisalabad, speaking from a city devasted by violence : 21 churches attacked, 3 of which belong to the Catholic community.

Accompanied by the clear feeling that the 150 arrests of extremists and the application of article 144 which prohibits all gatherings - ordered by the Pakistani authorities following the riots - came after culpable negligence that could have avoided such a heavy toll.

Precisely in these painful days the bishop of Faisalabad, mgr. Indrias Rehmat, is away from the diocese for some meetings on the situation of Christians in Pakistan. From the United States he sent a message to his Church expressing sadness for what happened in Jaranwala to the Christian community, their churches and family properties.

“We condemn this brutality: let us pray to God for peace and ask the government of Pakistan for justice - writes mgr. Rehmat-. At the same time we thank all the people who have tried to reach out to the victims and have assured them of cooperation and moral support. May the good Lord give us the courage to face these difficulties for our faith".

Yesterday Msgr. Joseph Arsad, archbishop of the diocese of Rawalpindi-Islamabad and president of the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, accompanied by the bishop of Multan, mgr. Yousaf Sohan and several priests.

"This incident clearly appears as a huge conspiracy against the Christian community - comments Fr. Tanvir -. A real investigation is needed for justice to be done. Muslims accuse two Christians of profaning the Koran and writing a blasphemous note. Both are illiterate, work as street sweepers and labourers: how could they have written such a note? And would they be foolish enough to paste their photo with that ticket? This is not possible, they are only personal vendettas ”.

But now in Jaranwala the whole Christian community has to deal with the consequences. "Our nuns and our priests present on site continuously inform us of these people who are now camped without food and water - continues the vicar general of the diocese of Faisalabad -. It is alarming that innocent people have to live such miserable lives because of a crime they never committed."

Fr Abid also said that the burning of the Koran was registered at the local police station at 7, while the crowd gathered at 8.30. “Why - he asks - in that hour and a half the police did not take any action to deal with the situation? Why did they allow people to get together to create such chaos? The police did not even try to investigate how illiterate people could write such a note with their photos. If he had taken measures before the accident, the properties and sacred places could have been saved. But they didn't do anything."

However, the real cause of everything - continues the vicar general of the diocese of Faisalabad - remains the blasphemy law. “It is now evident that these laws are often used for personal vendettas and to settle scores – he comments -. Unfortunately in Pakistan when blasphemy charges are raised anyone is free to act as prosecutor, judge and enforcer. We cannot allow this to continue; impunity for violence against religious minorities must end. This law has taken so many lives, not only of Christians but of people of all religions who have become victims. It needs to be changed right away."

Meanwhile, Jaranwala must now restart from solidarity with the victims. "Let's go and support them morally - exhorts Fr. Tanvir - providing them with food, clothing and more. We must stand with them at this crucial time and the government should take every step possible for their rehabilitation. Hundreds of families hidden in the fields are waiting for our support".