Catholic Church attacked in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

(March 31, 2011) The Catholic church of St Thomas, in the town of Wah Cantonment, about 50 km from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, was attacked by a group of armed men on Monday night, which resulted in damages. According to the local parish priest, Fr Yusaf Amanat, about 6.30 pm a group of six armed men broke in to the Church's courtyard, throwing rocks at the lamps and windows, trying to force open the church door. An attendant, alarmed by the noise, warned the parish priest and the police. The attackers, who were not able to force the door, instead, tried to set him on fire and then fled. The priest said that his concern about these acts of intimidation, which are perhaps related to the recent episode of the burning of the Koran by Pastor Terry Jones in the U.S. The Archbishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Archbishop Anthony Rufin, visited the church shortly after the attack. He met the police and asked for more protection for churches. He was able to comfort and console the faithful in this time of suffering. The Bishops of Pakistan, we have already written a joint pastoral letter to encourage our people to remain firm in faith and hope. Christians in Rawalpindi report that a few days ago the police called in Christian leaders to discuss safety measures, in view of Easter.