Catholics pray for peace after Lahore bombings

(March 15, 2010) In Pakistan, Catholic churches in Lahore are praying for peace after Friday’s deadly bombings which saw 60 killed and 100 injured. Seven small explosions hit the Punjab provincial capital on Friday, hours after twin suicide attacks killed bystanders and eight soldiers at a major bus stand. The incident has been regarded as the biggest militant attack in the country this year. The buildings damaged in the attacks included five houses rented by nine Catholics families. The affected Catholics are currently living in tents near the blast site. Father Abid Habib, regional coordinator of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic major Religious superiors condemned the blasts. He said it is sickening to see the innocent continuing to be victims while the government seems unwilling to fight the terrorists, blaming involvement of foreigners. The Capuchin priest said the Church is “praying that terrorists change their ways and find peaceful solutions to their problems.” Some 300 Christians attended Saturday’s service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore.