Pakistani missionary schools closed yesterday for three days to mourn the deaths of seven Christians burnt alive in clashes with majority Muslims, and Pope Benedict XVI said he was “deeply grieved” by the killings.
Four women and a child were among those killed in the violence, which broke out in Gojra in Punjab province on Saturday after Muslims burned some 40 homes belonging to Christians following unsubstantiated allegations that some of them had desecrated the Koran. “Christian schools will remain closed for three days from today to mourn the death of innocent people in Gojra,” said Bishop Sadiq Daniel.
“There is no proof of blasphemy,” he added, “but if someone has done that he, and not the entire community, should be punished.”
Desecration of the Koran is punishable by death in Pakistan.
Pope Benedict sent his condolences to Pakistani Christians and urged them to continue trying to build a society “marked by mutual respect” among different religions.
“The holy father was deeply grieved to learn of the senseless attack on the Christian community . . . which resulted in the tragic killing of innocent men, women and children,” the Vatican said.
Religious minorities, including Christians, account for roughly 4 per cent of the 170 million population of predominantly Muslim Pakistan. – (Reuters)