The Catholic Church in England and Wales has expressed its hope that the British government will encourage Pakistan’s authorities to tackle escalating persecution of the country’s religious minorities.
Following reports that Christian homes and a Church were attacked in Sandha last weekend, Bishop Declan Lang who chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department for International Affairs stated:
“Recent reports of mob attacks against the Christian community in Sandha are a tragic reminder that life is only becoming harder for Pakistan’s religious minorities.
“Without meaningful action from the authorities to tackle hate speech, end impunity and prevent misuse of blasphemy laws, more people will lose their dignity, their homes and their lives.
“It is reassuring that our own Foreign Secretary has explicitly promised not to stand by while people are killed, abused or discriminated against because of their faith.
“I hope that the British government will make strong representations to Pakistan about the vital need to protect those most vulnerable to abuse.”
Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, Pakistan
© Marcin Mazur
