Some representatives of Christians in Pakistan have come to Rome to convey the suffering and fears caused by recent massacres. Two Dominican priests of the diocese of Faisalabad, p. Pascal Paulus and p. Iftikhar Moon, were the eyewitnesses of the murder of eight Christians and the burning of 70 houses in the village of Gojra last August 1. But the fear within the Catholic community has increased when, on August 28, five Christians have been killed by bullets in the center of Quetta (Balochistan). The two priests, who bore witness to "Zenit" (September 11, 2009), exercise their ministry in the parish of the Holy Rosary of Faisalabad, which was burned. Father Pascal Paulus explained that, in spite of fear and threats, they return to Pakistan with enthusiasm, "because we proclaim Christ, our mission is to know Christ, the love of Christ, to encourage the love of our brothers." He also described the climate in which he carries out his ministry: "Pakistan is an Islamic republic where everything takes place according to the Muslim concept: people want an Islamic law, sharia, despite government attempts to establish democracy." The Dominican believes that the biggest problem faced by Christians anti-blasphemy laws are promulgated in 1991. Under these laws any desecration of the Koran is considered an offense and is punishable by imprisonment, and every insult to the prophet Mohammed is punishable by the death penalty. According to Father Paulus some Muslims use the pretext of alleged insults to the Prophet or the Koran desecration, based on their testimonies, to appropriate the property of Christians. P. Paulus admits that under these circumstances, be aware that they could die with the people, as might have happened a few weeks ago. "On 30 July - told - has unleashed violence when a mob of angry Muslim fanatics armed and attacked the Christian colony of Korian not far from the town of Gojra, and destroyed the houses after they have been looted. Two days later, on August 1, eight Christians were burned alive. The mob had attacked a group of Christians, in which there were three children, three women and two men. Were looted and burnt down 70 houses of some Christians and desecrated two churches in Gojra. The angry crowd - he continued - has ransacked the houses, cut up Bibles and other holy books, crosses, destroyed, devastated and burned everything. To the Christians, whose houses were burned, not anymore. It must be said that the police in Gojra and other security forces did nothing to prevent these incidents and have neglected the appeal against Christians who had been launched at mosques. The police intervened when it was over and when it was too late, it is equally painful to see that the government is worried about an event so severe only 72 hours later, when Christians held a protest on the railway. " "Then - have said the two priests - the president of Pakistan, Prime Minister and the authorities in Punjab have condemned the attacks and the government announced that it would be granted compensation to rebuild the houses of these poor Christians." Only time, however, will tell us how valuable these promises. "Just when you felt abandoned - explained father Iftikhar Moon - were deeply comforted by the message of solidarity that the Pope delivered when he heard the news. " "It was for us a message of comfort and hope - said p. Moon - because we saw that the head of the Church is with us, talk to us. "Priests have launched an appeal to the solidarity of Christians around the world to put pressure against the laws of discrimination against minorities, particularly the anti-blasphemy law . "We appeal to human rights organizations around the world because they keep in mind these facts and take action in our government to protect Christians and other minorities," they said. "We, Christians of Pakistan, we do not feel safe in our country," confessed the two Dominican priests. (CorrispondenzaRomana)
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