ASIA/PAKISTAN - Bishops: a minute of silence in Catholic schools, at Christmas prayer for peace

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Karachi (Agenzia Fides) – Today the Catholic schools across Pakistan will observe a minute of silence and gathering during the morning prayer, remembering the victims of the Taliban attack in the military school in Peshawar: is the initiative launched by the Pakistani Bishops who, in a statement sent to Fides, condemn "the brutal violence" and express "full solidarity with the families of the victims". The official note, signed by the Archbishop of Karachi, Mgr. Joseph Coutts, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, also calls on all the Christian communities of Pakistan to "celebrate Christmas in a sober manner, in order to respect the pain of the families and the entire nation".
Christmas, he says, will be an opportunity to "pray for the victims of Peshawar", but also for the Christian couple Shahzad and Shama Masih, burned alive by a mob of Muslims in Punjab in early November. "On the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, may all Christians pray for peace in Pakistan. It is the duty of every Christian to promote peace, reconciliation, harmony, unity".
The Bishops call on the government, political parties and religious leaders to "remain united before the tragic attack in Peshawar" and invite the institutions to take adequate measures to ensure protection in schools across the country. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/12/2014)


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