Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – From her isolation cell in Sheikupura, Asia Bibi, the Christian woman condemned to death for blasphemy, issues her appeal to the world to meet the Pope. Asia, confides her husband Ashiq to Fides, who recently visited her, that she is suffering from extreme physical and psychological exhaustion. Ashiq and lawyers from the Masihi Foundation fear for her health, aggravated by her Lenten fasting which, for spiritual reasons, she is carrying on “consciously and with conviction”. “A meeting with the Pope would be like a Resurrection for her, after her painful experience of the cross,” explain the Masihi Foundation.
Asia recalls that “the blasphemy law should be abolished, because it is harmful to everyone, Christians and Muslims. No one is safe in Pakistan while this law is in force. I am an innocent victim of this law. I suffer without having committed any crime.”
A glimmer of hope appears in her eyes when she speaks of the Pope: “My greatest dream is to meet Pope Benedict XVI. The Masihi Foundation have told me that the Holy Father has spoken of me: this has given me great hope, pushed me to continue to live, made me feel loves, consoled and sustained interiorly. It is an honour to know that the Pope spoke of me and that he follows my case personally. It is enough just to live for the day in which I may be able to meet him and thank him personally.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/3/2011)
