Action: Letter of concern sent to Pakistani President
Following the recent violent attacks on Christian churches in Lahore diocese, Pakistan, JPCC sent a letter to the General Pervez Musharaf, the President Pakistan Secretariat. This was done by the request of the general promoters of JPCC in the Order or Preachers, based in Rome: Fr Prakash Lohale OP and Sr. Marie Therese Perdriault OP who were the signatries. The letter expresses the concern felt by the Order of Preachers over the desecration and destruction of churches and Christian property after blasphemy allegations at Sangla Hills.
The following is the full text of the letter:
November 22 UA05/01
Desecration and destruction of Churches and Christian Property after Blasphemy allegation at Sangla Hills in Pakistan
On November 12th, 2005 at about 10:30 in the morning a mob attacked and destroyed three churches (Catholic, Salvation Army, and United Presbyterian), a Sisters' convent, St. Anthony's school building, a girls' hostel and a pastor's house in Sangla Hills, 50 kilometers north of Faisalabad in the Lahore diocese.
The mob estimated at two thousand persons stayed on the venues for over an hour. According to eye witnesses the attackers were brought to the site in buses. About 450 Christian families living in Sangla Hills had left their homes the night before they were threatened by local people and have not yet returned.
The priest's house was fully burnt inside and all the church records were burned or torn up. The convent was attacked and the sisters and hostel girls were locked in one room. Everything in the convent was burnt as was the furniture on the school and hostel. The damage is extensive.
There are many violent incidents taking place one after the other in Pakistan. Some of them such as Shanti Nagar, Muree, Taxela Church Rehim Yar Khan, ldera Justice and Peace Karachi, the Massacre in the Dominican Church in Bahawalpur leave horribly vivid memories. And now the tragic event and burning of the churches, convents, hostels and schools in Sangla Hill!
We as members of Dominican Order, along with all the Dominicans in Pakistan strongly condemn this act of violence in the name of religion. The situation calls for serious action on the part of everybody concerned with well being of the country. We would like to recommend that you write polite letters to express your concern about a proper investigation into this incident and the lack of protection against violence for Christians and minorities in general.
Send letters/emails to:
a. General Pervez Musharraf, President Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 4768/ 920 1893 or 1835 Email: CE@pak.gov.pk
b. Solidarity letter to Rev. Fr. Zafar lqbal OP, Vice Provincial zafarop2002@yahoo.com
We strongly recommend that the law of blasphemy be repealed.
We demand a proper investigation of this incident and bring the culprits to justice.
Praying that the Lord may bring about justice.
Sharing with your non Christian friends.
On November 12th, 2005 at about 10:30 in the morning a mob attacked and destroyed three churches (Catholic, Salvation Army, and United Presbyterian), a Sisters' convent, St. Anthony's school building, a girls' hostel and a pastor's house in Sangla Hills, 50 kilometers north of Faisalabad in the Lahore diocese.
The mob estimated at two thousand persons stayed on the venues for over an hour. According to eye witnesses the attackers were brought to the site in buses. About 450 Christian families living in Sangla Hills had left their homes the night before they were threatened by local people and have not yet returned.
The priest's house was fully burnt inside and all the church records were burned or torn up. The convent was attacked and the sisters and hostel girls were locked in one room. Everything in the convent was burnt as was the furniture on the school and hostel. The damage is extensive.
There are many violent incidents taking place one after the other in Pakistan. Some of them such as Shanti Nagar, Muree, Taxela Church Rehim Yar Khan, ldera Justice and Peace Karachi, the Massacre in the Dominican Church in Bahawalpur leave horribly vivid memories. And now the tragic event and burning of the churches, convents, hostels and schools in Sangla Hill!
We as members of Dominican Order, along with all the Dominicans in Pakistan strongly condemn this act of violence in the name of religion. The situation calls for serious action on the part of everybody concerned with well being of the country. We would like to recommend that you write polite letters to express your concern about a proper investigation into this incident and the lack of protection against violence for Christians and minorities in general.
Send letters/emails to:
a. General Pervez Musharraf, President Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 4768/ 920 1893 or 1835 Email: CE@pak.gov.pk
b. Solidarity letter to Rev. Fr. Zafar lqbal OP, Vice Provincial zafarop2002@yahoo.com
We strongly recommend that the law of blasphemy be repealed.
We demand a proper investigation of this incident and bring the culprits to justice.
Praying that the Lord may bring about justice.
Sharing with your non Christian friends.
Fr. Prakash Lohale OP Sr. Marie Therese Perdriault OP
Justice and Peace General co-Promoters
As mentioned above General Pervez Musharraf may be contacted at CE@pak.gov.pk and letters of support and encouragement may be sent to Rev. Fr. Zafar lqbal OP at zafarop2002@yahoo.com.
In Christ through Mary,
JPCC
posted by happyguy7 @ 8:15 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home