Lahore – Bishop Andrew Francis, chairman of National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism as well as Bishop of Multan strongly condemned as “brutal barbarism” the “senseless assassination” of Federal Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti by extremists on Wednesday at 11:00am, announcing three days of mourning during which all Christian institutions such as schools etc would be closed in protest. Bishop Andrew appealed to all bishops around the world and said “With deep sorrow we would like inform you that the Federal Minister for Minority Affairs Honorable Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, a beacon of hope in Pakistan and a true Pakistani, has been brutally murdered by extremists in Islamabad today.
In this regard I would like to request bishops around the world to kindly close all Catholic institutions tomorrow in their respective dioceses to protest and mourn Mr. Bhatti’s death. He was promoting peace and interfaith harmony in Pakistan and it is our duty not to let this cause die.” He said that Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was killed by religious extremists and the federal minister for minorities had been murdered for promoting interfaith peace in Pakistan and working for the rights of religious groups in Pakistan.
He said Shahbaz Bhatti’s work for human and minority rights was well known and he was a strong and courageous person who believed in the rights and dignity of all religious communities living in Pakistan. He received special blessing from The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to continue his good work and when he was on his way to a cabinet meeting to do this, strangely there were no security guards with him although he feared for his life. He said the minister was hit by around 30 bullets fired by the perpetrators, who fled throwing tell-tale pamphlets behind them, but the police were late on the scene by 15 minutes. Bishop Andrew also held a memorial service for Shahbaz Bhatti.
Bishop slams Bhatti’s murder, announces 3 days of mourning
