Arhiepiscopul catolic pakistanez cere pedepsirea pastorului care a ars Coranul

Catholica.ro / 6 aprilie 2011

Lahore (Catholica) – Arhiepiscopul Lawrence Saldanha de Lahore a cerut guvernului SUA să ia măsuri împotriva pastorului creştin care a ars Coranul într-un protest din Florida.

“Guvernul SUA vorbeşte despre libertatea religioasă, dar noi cerem să prevină astfel de acţiuni din partea unor extremiştilor sau a creştinilor fundamentalişti”, a afirmat preşedintele Conferinţei Episcopilor din Pakistan pentru Kirche in Not. “Pastorul ar trebui închis o perioadă”, a continuat prelatul. “Având în vedere efectele acţiunilor sale din lumea întreagă, ar trebui să fie sub control şi să înţeleagă răul pe care l-a făcut.”

La 20 martie, pastorul Terry Jones din Florida, al unei comunităţi neconfesionale de 50 de membri, a prezidat ceea ce a numit “Ziua de Judecare Internaţională a Coranului”, în cadrul căreia a fost arsă cartea. Clipul video publicat pe situl bisericii arată o carte udată cu kerosen căreia i s-a foc într-un cuptor de metal aflat în lăcaşul de cult. Ştirea a provocat proteste ample în nordul Afganistanului. Au fost ucişi cel puţin şapte membri din echipele ONU şi alte 24 de persoane în cadrul unor proteste din această ţară. Demonstraţii au fost organizate şi în Pakistan. Arhiepiscopul Saldanha nu a confirmat ştirea conform căreia evenimentul din Florida ar fi dus la atacuri recente împotriva asupra a trei biserici. A atestat însă sentimentele puternice ale musulmanilor. “Deşi nu au fost încă reacţii împotriva creştinilor, s-ar putea sfârşi totul prost”, a spus el. Bisericile din Pakistan beneficiază de câteva luni de măsuri sporite de protecţie: gărzi înarmate, blocuri de ciment, camere video de securitate şi saci de nisip plasate în zonă.

La 2 aprilie preşedintele Barack Obama a răspuns la gestul aprinderii Coranului, dar şi la violenţele ce au urmat. “Desacralizarea oricărui text sfânt, inclusiv a Coranului, este un act de intoleranţă extremă şi de fanatism”, a afirmat preşedintele american. “Dar a ataca şi ucide oameni inocenţi ca răspuns este revoltător şi un afront adus decenţei şi demnităţii umane.” Reverendul Jones a spus atunci când a ars Coranul că această carte, “luată ad litteram, conduce la violenţă şi activităţi teroriste, promovează rasismul şi prejudecăţile împotriva minorităţilor, împotriva creştinilor şi împotriva femeilor”. A declarat ulterior pentru BBC că nu se simte responsabil de uciderea celor din Afganistan. În septembrie anul trecut, pastorul de 58 de ani a anunţat că va arde Coranul în contextul comemorării atacurilor teroriste de la 11 septembrie 2001. Personalităţi din toată lumea, inclusiv Papa Benedict al XVI-lea, i-au cerut să nu facă aşa ceva, şi atunci şi-a anulat planurile.

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http://www.catholica.ro/2011/04/06/arhiepiscopul-pakistanez-cere-pedepsirea-pastorului-ce-a-ars-coranul/

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Asia Bibi gravely ill, fears for her life, after three months in solitary isolation

 

AsiaNews.it / 7th april 2011

The Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy has been ill with chicken pox, probably because of the unhygienic conditions of the cell where she is kept. Christians concern for the growing violence against them. Bishop Rufin Anthony: „This Lent we pray for peace in Pakistan. A Pakistan where we can all live freely”.

Lahore (AsiaNews) – Asia Bibi is sick, in solitary confinement, and there are growing concerns for her life. The Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy on false evidence is sick with chicken pox, because of the appallingly unhygienic conditions she is being kept in. The complaint comes from Haroon Barket Masih, president of the Masih Foundation, who today issued a statement: „Asia Bibi was diagnosed with chicken pox, she has been kept in solitary confinement for more than three months. We have expressed concern about her health, because she spends 24 hours a day locked in the cell. She needs medical care, hygienic and healthy conditions. She fell ill with chickenpox because of the dirty environment, and being unable to clean her room or bed sheets on which she sleeps. Despite her ill health she spends her time fasting and praying for everyone, she neglects her health and prays for everyone else. She is concerned about the current situation in Pakistan. We are trying to arrange a medical examination, and to ensure acceptable hygienic conditions. Until now she has had no medical care„.

Masih also declared: „Recently, Mothers Day was celebrated in Europe, we all celebrated Mother’s Day, people sent cards and postcards, but who remembered this sick woman praying and fasting in her cell? Did she not want to be with her children too? She is a mother. She prayed for her children. Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi who prays and fasts. „

But the situation for Christians in Pakistan seems to be worsening by the day. Perviaz Masih, a resident of Lala Musa, a small town 75 km from Lahore, was threatened for being Christian. Pervaiz Masih is the father of three children and works for Pakistan Railways in Lala Musa. It all started when the Koran was burned in Florida. Masih has defended his faith in a discussion at work. He said: „Christianity is a religion of peace, and we condemn this act.” But his colleagues were not convinced, and began to threaten him. Pervaiz Masih and his family fled the house on April 4 last and are in hiding since then. Extremist elements in society are becoming violent, and the situation in Pakistan grows worse day by day. The growing extremism in Pakistan is a concern not only for minorities but also for the government.

Bishop Anthony Rufin told AsiaNews: „I am saddened by the news about Asia Bibi, on her state of health and the state in which she lives. The Catholic Church prays for her salvation, and prays that she will be treated. It ‘s a difficult time for the minorities in Pakistan, incidents of violence are becoming more numerous, for how long will we live in fear? How many more Pervaiz Masih will have to live in hiding? We must work together for a campaign to promote harmony and tolerance. This Lent we pray for peace in Pakistan. A Pakistan where we can all live freely. „

by Jibran Khan

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http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Asia-Bibi-gravely-ill,-fears-for-her-life,-after-three-months-in-solitary-isolation-21234.html