Lahore Bishop Alexander John Malik held a midnight vigil mass at the Cathedral Church of Resurrection. The brightly lit church was filled with several people who settled into silence as the service began at about eleven thirty at night.
The Bishop in his service said that the Christmas was a time for love and joy. He said, “The atmosphere of the world and especially Pakistan is full of violence, aggression and destruction. It is up to all of us, to fill ourselves with love so that we can spread the message of Jesus, and change the world. We must not fight evil with evil; instead we must replace it with good, so that a peaceful and lasting time may come.”
The Bishop’s service came to an end at about twelve thirty. During this time, at the turn of the night, everyone greeted and wished each other a merry Christmas, and the service continued till the end. After the service, carols were performed, and then a mass prayer was held for the betterment of Christians all over the world, and for mankind in general, and for Pakistan.
Usually the mela that lights up the Cathedral, was not set up this year as the church administration has become security conscious, Shahid Mairaj, PRO of Bishop told Pakistan Today.
A large number of Christians organised a protest against blasphemy laws and in support of blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi from the Lahore Press Club to the Chairing Cross on Saturday. Protesters chanted slogans against blasphemy laws and demanded that Section 295-C of the controversial blasphemy laws be removed with immediate effect and Aasia along with other blasphemy accused be freed.
“These laws are misused and it can be easily discerned from the FIRs of the prisoners that they have been arrested and facing trial based on obvious lies,” Javed said. “These victims are not just non-Muslims but Muslims as well and it is painful to see how a handful of extremists can end an innocent person’s life only for their personal vendetta,” he said.
Protesters said that like Muslims, Christians in Pakistan belonged to this land since centuries and their forefathers had been buried here and they had not newly immigrated.
