WASHINGTON (November 21, 2005) – Mob attacks against Christian sites in
Pakistan appear to be “an organized act of terrorism,” according to the
chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ International Policy
Committee, who called for an investigation of the events.
“The government should take affirmative steps to educate the people about
tolerance and peace, remove religious biases in teaching materials, and
repeal discriminatory laws,” said Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando in a
November 17th letter to the Pakistani ambassador to the United States.
Three churches – Catholic, Presbyterian, and Salvation Army – in the town
of Sangla Hills were “attacked, ransacked, and burned” on November 12,
according to Bishop Wenski, as were a sisters’ convent, a girls’ hostel, a
Catholic school, and the pastor’s house.
“The all too convenient excuse of an alleged desecration of the Holy Quran
by one individual, even if such occurred, which seems doubtful, could
never justify such wanton acts against innocent people,” Bishop Wenski
said.
The full text of Bishop Wenski’s letter follows:
November 17, 2005
The Honorable Jehangir Karamat
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
3517 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Dear Mr. Ambassador,
I write concerning the horrific anti-Christian events that occurred in
Sangla Hills on November 12th. As you must be aware, mobs numbering in the
hundreds, even up to two thousand
according to some reports, attacked, ransacked and burned three
churches—Catholic, Presbyterian and Salvation Army—a sisters’ convent, a
girls’ hostel, a Catholic school and the pastor’s house.
Early accounts suggest that this was an organized act of terrorism, aimed
at intimidating the Christian families in the region. The all too
convenient excuse of an alleged desecration of the Holy Quran by one
individual, even if such occurred, which seems doubtful, could never
justify such wanton acts against innocent people. It is especially
distressing at this time when much of the country is still reeling from
the October 8th tragic earthquake and when so many in the Christian
community in Pakistan, including our own Catholic Relief Services, are
working with dedication to bring relief to the survivors.
The day following the attacks, Sunday November 13th, the Christians of
Sangla Hill held a joint ecumenical prayer service led by the Catholic and
Presbyterian pastors and then processed peacefully and prayerfully to the
sites of the attacks. The Catholic and Protestant bishops of Pakistan
dedicated today, November 17th, as a Day of Protest on which all Christian
schools were to be closed as a sign of protest and mourning.
We join with Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, President of the
Pakistan Bishops’ Conference, in calling for a thorough investigation of
these tragic occurrences. If it is clear that there was negligence on the
part of the local police, measures should be taken to prevent a
recurrence. In the Archbishop’s view, the Blasphemy Laws contribute to
social, sectarian and inter-religious disharmony in the country and must
be re-examined. The government should take affirmative steps to educate
the people about tolerance and peace, remove religious biases in teaching
materials, and repeal discriminatory laws.
With the prayer that this sad event may serve to bring about greater
harmony and peace among all the people of your great nation, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski
Bishop of Orlando
Chairman, Committee on International Policy