Streets in Pakistan’s main cities are still blocked, telephone services are still suspended. Islamic radicals are also protesting against the government for defencing the Christian woman’s acquittal. Christian pastor calls on the faithful to avoid spreading fake news.
The Pakistani prime minister attacks radical Islamic groups who want to kill the justices and bring the country to a halt with their demonstrations. “These rogue elements are not serving Islam. They are merely playing politics to increase their vote bank,” he said. Christian schools are still closed today due to fears of violence. Security for churches is also a concern. Leftist Muslims defend Asia Bibi.
Police set up roadblocks on Punjab highways as radicals protest in the province and the capital Islamabad. The authorities are monitoring the situation from a central control centre, including "red zones" in sensitive areas.
Cartoon shows two men crucified on electrical poles, whilst video trailer announces TV series about a Christian woman converting to Islam. Some imams have joined the Christian protest. Catholic activist calls for calm so as not to harm Christians working in media involved.
Kinza Roma is a 27-year-old educator. In school she was forced to clean bathrooms and was treated like a beggar. Today she lectures against bullying and takes part in meetings to improve knowledge among religious communities.
A conference in Lahore brought together the democratic exponents of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Christian mother, in prison since 2009 for blasphemy charges, could be released soon. Judges fear religious extremism: "Only courage and morality can defeat intolerance".
The Good Shepherd Christian Hospital will be inaugurated early next year. The nearest public hospital is Lahore, 95 km away. The Christian cross is visible on the façade.
The Synod of Bishops is underway in the Vatican. For Youth Commission Secretary, the Church has not really committed herself to involving young people. the challenges facing Pakistan and Europe’s secularised societies are not the same, says Card Coutts.
It is called Kohli Veri Rughani Pato and there are 100 Hindu families. The Christian cross is engraved on the water tanks; in the nearby town of Mithi, no beef can be seen at the market. Muslims respect the beliefs of Hindus. Caritas has activated programs against drought and in favor of farmers.
The facility, which was inaugurated on Saturday and will become operational in November, is dedicated to the Catholic minister slain by the Taliban because he opposed the blasphemy legislation. The centre offers sewing and beautician courses as well as a dispensary. The goal is to make women independent and able to fight harassment.
The organisation of the Bishops’ Conference offers its best wishes to the government of Imran Khan. For Bishop Joseph Arshad, "Pakistan belongs to minorities as much as to the majority". Many are concerned about price increases and ads targeting Christians deemed as capable only to work as waste collectors.
In a letter, a former apostolic nuncio to the United States accuses the pontiff of covering up the abuses of Card McCarrick. For Secretary of the Commission on catechesis, "sex scandals and accusations are things that concern the West." Christian researcher notes that “It will take a lot of wisdom to free the Church from these filthy accusations."
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