Archbishop in Pakistan appeals to Christians worldwide for prayers and solidarity
against anti Christian attacks
(Aug.04,2009): In Pakistan, the Archbishop of Lahore launched an appeal on Monday to the Government, for decisive action to protect the Christian minority. Speaking to Asia News about anti Christian attacks in Gogra and the village of Korian in Punjab, Archbishop John Lawerence Saldanha said: - “We must defend ourselves from premeditated attacks against Pakistan’s Christian minority. For this reason, it is necessary to keep a low profile and avoid giving fundamentalists any more pretexts to carry out violence on religious grounds.” Archbishop Saldanha said the Christian community suffered two premeditated attacks. The first one, on 30 July, fortunately produced no victims. But on 1st August, people were not prepared to confront the onslaught and about eight people died, among them six from the same family,” the prelate added.
Following the intervention of the Pakistani army, calm returned to the area. The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), which is chaired by Archbishop Saldanha, has decided to shut down all Catholic schools and institutions in Punjab for three days of mourning. A joint statement signed by the Archbishop and NCJP Executive Secretary Peter Jacob, called on the government to address the root causes of religious intolerance in Pakistan. It also called for a special meeting with the authorities in Islamabad, guilty of not taking all the necessary steps to defend the population. Through Asia News, Archbishop Saldanha made a special plea calling on all Catholics in Pakistan and on Christians of the entire world for their solidarity and prayers:
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