“Intolerance and terrorism are a global phenomenon,” Archbishop Evarist Pinto said in Karachi’s Catholic cathedral. Nevertheless, “Easter is the time to work together for peace and prosperity. We urge the international community to come together and work for the promotion of justice and peace. We believe in a living God, Jesus Christ sacrificed His life for us, so that we can be saved. This Easter we must work against the growing intolerance in the country.”

Echoing such words, Mgr Andrew Francis, Catholic bishop of Multan said, “Easter is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfilment of our faith as Christians. St Paul wrote that unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain. We must stay firm on our faith for it is a hard time for the minorities in Pakistan. We must remember the persecuted in our prayers.”

“By Easter, Jesus modelled what it meant to live (and die) in perfect obedience and faith in God. He suffered horrendously yet did not sin. Believers should endure suffering and not complain about them,” said Mgr Rufin Anthony, bishop of Islamabad. “Because Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, this proves His divinity and His power to save for eternity those who commit to him. This event in history has great enduring significance. The Christian community in Pakistan is subjected to persecution on a daily basis. Yet, Christians must stay firm on their unshakable faith.”

“We believe that the God revealed by Jesus is the God of love and compassion and that his desire is for those things that are for our good,” said Anglican Bishop Alexander John Malik. “Jesus is always on the side of those who are suffering. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead goes one step further, it declares that in God’s providence, death, destruction and tragedy do not have the last word. In the end, God and resurrection ultimately triumph. You and I, as disciples of Jesus, are invited to join Him in caring for all of the victims of our world, working for a more just society, joining him in his act of making whole His world.”

In Khushpur, birthplace of Shahbaz Bhatti, Fr Rehmat Sohail Easter celebrated Easter Mass. Since the assassination of Minorities Affairs minister, residents have been living in fear. Some suggested that Christians should not celebrate the festivity as in past years.

“Easter,” Fr Sohail said, “symbolises the victory of life over death, of goodness over evil. How can the followers of the living God not celebrate the resurrection? God did not give us the spirit of fear. Even in Punjab, centre of religious persecution, we cannot stop practicing our religion. A believer remains faithful until death,” he explained.

Shahbaz Bhatti’s family took part in the Mass ceremony.