Mgr Saldanha: Pope's words comfort Christians still in shock over Bhatti murder
Lahore (AsiaNews) - Pakistani Christians will continue the struggle launched by the Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti - murdered by armed extremists March 2 last - against laws that promote violence and divisions in society. So says Mgr. Lawrence John Saldanha, archbishop of Lahore, who tomorrow at 4 pm will preside at a memorial Mass for the Catholic politician. The community is "saddened and still in shock" over the brutal execution, confirms the Archbishop, but the "closeness" expressed by Pope Benedict XVI are a source of happiness and relief.
During the Angelus from St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI honoured the memory of the Pakistani minister, recalling his "moving sacrifice of life." "I ask the Lord Jesus - said the pope - that the moving sacrifice of the life of Pakistani Minister Shahbaz Bhatti may rekindle in people the courage and commitment to protect religious freedom for all mankind and in this way also promote equal dignity for all".
Interviewed by AsiaNews, Mgr. John Saldanha, who is also president of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), confirms that "Christians are gladdened by the support and closeness of Benedict XVI, who has repeatedly spoken in favour of religious freedom and rights of persecuted minorities. "However there is a fringe in the country - says the prelate - who consider the Pope's position interference" in internal affairs and "do not intend to listen to his words" in particular, the religious parties who "are opposed to any intervention or interference in the politics of the country".
The Archbishop of Lahore explains that "the Pakistani Christian community is saddened and still in shock" over the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, who always showed great commitment "to the weak and minorities”. The blasphemy law, confirms the bishop, is "the root of all problems" and that is why "we will fight with all our strength," as the federal minister did, paying with his very life.
"Politicians and the government – continues Mgr. Saldanha - have so far maintained an attitude of weakness ", backing down on amendments or changes to the black law, that has become a pretext for settling personal disputes.
The NCJP President announces that at 4pm tomorrow, a Mass and a special prayer service in memory of Shahbaz Bhatti, presided over by himself,will be held in the cathedral. Christians, said Mgr. Saldanha, have "good relations" with the majority of people, but it "will take a long, long time to build relations of peaceful coexistence," which will allow the creation of a truly multi-ethnic and multicultural Pakistan. "Today these relations- concluded the bishop - are marked by violence, moderates show solidarity, but the fundamentalist fringe controls the minds of people, fomenting attacks and abuse."
Yesterday in different areas of Lahore marches were held to protest the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, riddled with 30 gunshot wounds. The protesters called for changes to the blasphemy laws and other regulations that discriminate against religious minorities in Pakistan. The minority wing of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the governing party, of which the State Minister for Minorities was a member, organized events attended by human rights activists, women and children belonging to different religious faiths, including Muslims. Many voiced their anger against politicians branded as "turncoats", among them Maulana Fazul Rehman, who "only a month ago was opposed to changes" the "black law" and now is"open to possible discussions."
However, the situation in Karachi was calmer, where there was no mention of the murder of the federal minister during Sunday Mass y. Priests asked for prayers for Pakistan's political leadership and the future of the country, but there was no explicit mention of Bhatti’s assassination. (DS)
.png)
