Author:
Publication: Zenit.org
Date: November 3, 2003
At the Start of Ramadan
Catholic bishops in Pakistan see
cause for optimism in the relations between Muslims and Christians.
Noting the start of the Muslim month
of fasting, Bishop Andrew Francis, head of the episcopal Commission for
Interreligious Dialogue, said that this "Ramadan promises much for dialogue
and consolidating good relations between Muslims and Christians. I am very
happy and optimistic."
"The atmosphere is good," the bishop
of Multan told the Fides agency. "Here in Multan there is a spirit of solidarity
and closeness and the times of tension and attacks on Christians seem very
remote."
He added that the recent 25th anniversary
celebrations for John Paul II's pontificate "gathered everyone together,
students, religious leaders, civil authorities, women. All Pakistanis appreciate
the figure and activity of Pope John Paul II."
Tensions heightened between Shiite
and Sunni Muslims after the assassination of Sunni leader Azam Tariq in
Islamabad last month.
The Church is engaged in reconciliation
on this front. "We are acting as a bridge between the two communities,"
said Bishop Francis. "I invite both Shiite and Sunni Muslim leaders to
meetings focusing on dialogue to help build peaceful coexistence and restore
harmony in society."
Confirmation of improved Christian-Muslim
relations came also from Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore who is
president of the bishops' conference.
"Since the September 11 terrorist
attack in New York we have seen a resurgence of Muslim fundamentalism which
identifies Christians with the West," he said. "The Church in Pakistan
has made an effort to show our Muslim brothers and sisters that we are
on the side of peace, and we want to help build a modern country, free
of terrorism. Thanks also to various interventions by Pope John Paul II,
today they are beginning to realize that we Christians want to have good
relations."
Archbishop Saldanha continued: "Certainly
the presence of a few groups of fundamentalists made it necessary to have
security guards in front of the main churches in Lahore. But since last
Christmas there have been no more attacks on the Christian community and
the situation seems to have improved considerably. Today we have good relations
with moderate Muslims who are the large majority in Pakistan."
Pakistan has a population of 150
million; 97% are Muslim, mostly Sunni. Christians constitute 2.5% of the
population. Catholic number about 1.2 million.