Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - "As Christians and as members of religious minorities in Pakistan we demand equal rights and opportunities, full dignity and freedom": is what Mgr. Joseph Coutts, Archbishop of Karachi and President of the Episcopal Conference of Pakistan says in an interview with Fides. "The main challenge for us Christians is to be accepted as equal citizens, with the same rights and freedom to profess our faith. This is what the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, wanted, as he declared in his speech in 1947," said Mgr. Coutts, noting the absolute value of freedom of religion and worship and respect for human rights for all Pakistani citizens "in the aftermath of the Supreme Court verdict on the conversion of three Hindu girls to Islam.
The Archbishop told Fides about other related challenges: "Ours is a poor Church, the faithful have social and economic problems. Education is an urgent need for everyone, but especially for Christians, who bear strong discrimination in this field. Education is for Christians the way to grow and to become full citizens."
Another open question, Mgr. Coutts said, is "intolerance, which grows in Pakistan for domestic reasons and outside the country. Some Muslim groups consider us Christian strangers or close to westerners, and this makes us become targets of hatred or prejudice. We are Christians but we are fully Pakistanis " In this context, he adds, "with the Muslims we are committed to promoting a dialogue of life, but also a culture of respect, tolerance, mutual understanding, through seminars and public meetings. With the Muslim faithful we have common values, such as aid to those suffering and solidarity: in many situations we have worked side by side. Surley, dialogue with fanatics is not possible but, despite this, our work continues and we are hopeful for the future." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/4/2012)
