Pakistan Bishops call for Church recognition of : “Shahbaz Bhatti”
(March 26, 2011) The Episcopal Conference of Pakistan assembled from 20 to 25th March has decided to request the Holy See to declare the slain Catholic Minister, Shabaz Bhatti, a martyr and patron of Religious Liberty. Bishop Andrew Francis of Multan, delegate for Interreligious dialogue had made the proposal to the Conference, which had endorsed it unanimously. The Bishops had taken the opportunity to pay tribute to Bhatti for his dedication on behalf of the religious minorities in Pakistan and of Christians, his authentic testimony of faith which had led him to the point of laying down his life for his mission. In the second week of April, the bishops and Catholic faithful will gather 40 days since Bhatti’s death to commemorate his memory. Shahbaz Bhatti, 35 years old, appointed Minister for Minorities in the Pakistan government was gunned down on March 2nd, while leaving his home in Islamabad. Coming Sunday, April 3rd , the Pakistan Bishops in the face of developments alarming for Christians, such as the killing of two Christians in Hyderabad recently, and the burning of the Koran in the USA, will issue a joint pastoral letter, encouraging the Catholics to keep the flame of hope alive, despite sufferings, fears and difficulties of the present, taking their cue from the gospel passage in Luke, where the Lord says “Fear not, little flock”; and the bishops will hold up to them the example of the first Christian communities. In the meantime, AsiaNews reports that the slaim minister’s brother, Paul Bhatti has been appointed “special adviser” to the Pakistan Prime Minister for religious minorities. Paul who is a medical doctor has lived abroad. Thursday Paul Bhatti met the Pakistan Minister of Interior, Rehman Malik.
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