by Jibran Khan

All over the country the minority participated in Holy Week religious functions, the Way of the Cross yesterday. Bishop of Islamabad: look to the Cross on Calvary as the place for relief from suffering. Throughout Lent, the faithful promoted charitable activities and Bible study.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - In Christ's sufferings of the Passion and death on the Cross, Christians in Pakistan and around the world find an answer to the suffering and violence of every day, the bishop of Islamabad / Rawalpindi Mgr. Rufin Anthony tells AsiaNews, on Good Friday which precedes the Easter of Resurrection. The local minority is the victim of persecution and targeted attacks, which are the cause of death and marginalization. However, in the difficulties experienced by Jesus in the last hours of his life Christians can find the strength to overcome their suffering. This is why all the parishes and churches in the country promoted a three-hour adoration and prayer, with readings, passages from the Bible, sermons and hymns, then - in the afternoon - the Way of the Cross.

The Bishop of Islamabad recalls that the two most important moments of Christian faith are "Christmas and Easter, celebrating the birth and resurrection of the Messiah [...] who died and rose again to give us eternal life." Msgr. Anthony explains that Christ was a master of "tolerance, forgiveness, peace, and now it is up to us to continue his work." The prelate added that Easter is an "opportunity to work together with other communities and promote religious harmony." In the drama of the Passion on Good Friday, he concludes, we see the suffering taking place in the world and that "where else to look there best, if not to the Cross [of Christ] on Calvary."

The Holy Week celebrations were attended by many faithful in every city of Pakistan. Each parish sponsored meetings, meditations, Masses and prayers. Saqib Masih, a Christian from Lahore, said he had fasted for the whole of Lent and Good Friday, giving up "everything that was not necessary."

Sadia John, from Islamabad, said that in a time of penance and Lent, the Christian community has sponsored retreats, spiritual exercises, listening to the liturgy and activities of charitable and missionary animation. "I myself gave birth to a project - he tells AsiaNews - to ensure the schooling of children of the slums, without charge, during Lent. The project will continue in the future."

 

 

• pakistan
• christians
• good
• friday
• christ
• cross
• passion