Christian massacre in Peshawar, a failure of Pakistani govt.: Indian Bishop

25 Sept. 2013: Bishop Thomas Dabre of Pune in western India’s Maharashtra State has decided that all the parishes in his diocese will devote next Sunday Mass to the victims of the blast at a church in Pakistan. "The integrity and moral authority of a nation depend on its firm commitment to ensuring the rule of law and defending its minorities”, he said, condemning Sunday’s attack at the historic Anglican “All Saints” church.
Bishop Dabre said that religious freedom is an inalienable human right and the massacre at Peshawar shows the failure of Pakistani authorities to protect the country's vulnerable Christian community. The integrity and moral authority of a nation depends on its firm commitment to ensuring the rule of law and defending its minorities, he added.
At every Mass after the reading of the Gospel," the prelate said, parishioners will say a prayer for peace, harmony, respect and the security of all minorities of Pakistan. The bishop himself will celebrate the liturgy in Pune’s cathedral.
Bishop Dabre said he was proud of Pakistani Christians for the way they maintain and preserve their faith, despite all the difficulties and the challenges they face every day for believing in Christ. “The Christians of Pakistan are deeply integrated into the local culture. Urdu is their mother tongue, which they use in worship. This is significant because it shows complete and genuine inculturation, he said. "Freedom of religion, is an inalienable human right, which is intrinsically connected to human dignity and moral compassion for a nation. It is urgent that the international community not remain silent in the face of growing persecution of Christians in the world," he added.
Source: Asianews