wfn.org | WCC deeply concerned about security of Christian minority

["Sheila Mesa" <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

in Pakistan

World Council of Churches
Update, Up-01-37
For Immediate Use
29 October 2001

WCC deeply concerned about the safety and security of the
Christian minority in Pakistan

cf. WCC Press Update, Up-01-36, of 8 October 2001
cf. WCC Press Update, Up-01-34, of 2 October 2001
cf. WCC Press Update, Up-01-33, of 21 September 2001
cf. WCC Press Release, PR-01-32, of 11 September 2001

In a letter sent today, Monday, 29 October, to General Pervaiz
Musharaf, president of the Republic of Pakistan, WCC acting
general secretary Georges Lemopoulos expressed deep concern over
Sunday's attack in Bahawalpur which resulted in the deaths of 17
Christians, and about the "safety and security of the Christian
minority in the present highly charged environment of religious
intolerance". The WCC supports the call of the National Council
of Churches in Pakistan for a judicial inquiry into Sunday's
attack, and measures to ensure the security of Pakistan's
Christian minority.  

The letter also reiterates the WCC's appeal for a prompt end to
the military actions against Afghanistan.  

The text of the letter follows:

"The World Council of Churches is deeply concerned by the act of
terror committed in Bahawalpur on 28 October, when masked gunmen
attacked the St Dominic's Roman Catholic Church where Sunday's
services were being conducted by Pastor Emmanuel Allah Ditta of
the Church of Pakistan. As a result of indiscriminate firing by
the gunmen, 17 worshippers were killed and around 30 others were
injured including women and children.  

The World Council of Churches has followed with concern the
recent developments in the region. In a letter sent to United
Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on 2 October by Dr Konrad
Raiser, the WCC General Secretary, the 
Council expressed its apprehension of the military action
initiated by the International Coalition in Afghanistan. The
Council appealed to the United States and the United Kingdom to
bring a prompt end to this action.  

We are aware of the difficulties faced by the people of Pakistan
and your government as a result of the continuous bombings in
Afghanistan that have resulted in an increasing number of
civilian casualties. This has caused resentment and division
within Pakistan society. While appreciating the manner in which
Your Excellency's government has handled the present crisis, we
nevertheless are deeply concerned about the safety and security
of the Christian minority in the present highly charged
environment of religious intolerance.  

The National Council of Churches in Pakistan has supported the
government's decision to join the International Coalition to
fight terrorism. In view of Sunday's killings in the church at
Bahawalpur, it has asked that a judicial inquiry be held into the
incident so that those found guilty of this heinous act can be
brought to justice.   

The World Council of Churches supports the demand of the
National Council of Churches in Pakistan. While we remain
supportive of Your Excellency's government in these difficult
times, we urge that all necessary measures be undertaken to
provide safety and security to the Christian minority in
Pakistan."  

For further information, please contact Karin Achtelstetter,
Media Relations Officer           Tel:  (+41.22) 791.61.53  
	Mobile:  (+41) 79.284.52.12

**********
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of churches,
now 342, in more than 100 countries in all continents from
virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is
not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The
highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately
every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general
secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.

World Council of Churches
Media Relations Office
Tel: (41 22) 791 6153 / 791 6421
Fax: (41 22) 798 1346
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