ASIA/PAKISTAN-A new church and an agreement with the Lateran University: the Ministry for Harmony is linked up with the Church of Rome

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - An agreement of collaboration with the Pontifical Lateran University and the construction of a new church in the diocese of Faisalabad: is what is reported to Fides, these are the results that today concludes Akram Masih Gill’s visit, Minister of State in the "Federal Ministry for Harmony" of the Pakistani government, who spent some days in Italy and the Vatican. Minister Gill today met during his general audience Benedict XVI, showing the Holy Father, during a talk which lasted a few minutes, the expectations and hopes of Christians in Pakistan and asked Benedict XVI "to pray for the faithful Pakistanis who, during the difficulties they encounter every day, trust in his support".
In past days, Minister Gill, also met the Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, Archbishop Enrico Dal Covolo, who showed great care and sensitivity to the plight of Christian minorities in Pakistan. The Ministry for Harmony and the Lateran University have thus initiated a collaborative project –assigning the organization to prof. Mobeen Shahid, Pakistani professor on campus – who foresees the exchange of professors, students and books, as well as the joint organization of conferences and cultural and academic activities, on issues such as dialogue between faiths and religious harmony.
Another important news is the construction of a new church to be built in the diocese of Faisalabad: the project has already started thanks to the twinning between the church of God the Merciful Father, in the diocese of Rome, and the Chak 54 village in Rahmpur in the district of Okara in Punjab. A Pakistani priest from Faisalabad don Kamran Taj, in Rome for theological studies, worked in the roman parish. From this experience the request to support the construction of a new church was born, entirely funded by donations from the faithful of the parish (about 8,000 euros). The new church - the Roman priest don Federico Corrubbolo refers to Fides- will be the first in Pakistan to be named after "God the Merciful Father". The building, already under construction could be completed by Christmas - to establish the link with the Church of Rome – there will be an icon of Our Lady of Divine Love within the church. "It is a form of aid to local Christians and also a form of evangelization, since the figure of the God who is Father and is merciful and may reach the hearts of all men of good will", notes Don Federico.
In an interview with Fides, Minister Gill appreciated the project and gave him his support, saying he was "happy for this initiative, certainly the Christian minorities will benefit and will give its fruit, hoping that God the Merciful Father will lead the Pakistan towards peace and harmony". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/11/2011)