In Islamabad, the memorial Mass for the Minister Bhatti
A life for peace
President Giorgio Napolitano calls for more security for Christians
ISLAMABAD, 4. "Shahbaz Bhatti is a man who followed God's plan for his life. He is a man who made the will of God, with faith, obedience, hope, certainty of the Kingdom "is a passage of the homily delivered by the bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Rufin Anthony in the church of Our Lady of Fatima, for the celebration of the public funeral of the Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, killed Wednesday by Muslim extremists. The celebration took place, including tight security, in the presence of family members of deceased minister, representatives of the Government, including Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan, the Rev. Jose Luis Diaz-Sánchez Mariblanca, diplomats various countries and political leaders, as well as many of the faithful.
In outlining the shape of the minister, Monsignor Anthony recalled his birth Khushpur, a Catholic village founded by the Dominicans, where "Bhatti had received a very strong spiritual formation." In the village, said the prelate, coexistence with Muslims "is in perfect harmony, of dialogue of life, and that example Bhatti took him with him as a model for all his experience of social and political commitment" . In his service, the bishop concluded, "Bhatti did the will of God and has joined the project of life that the Lord had for him." The vice chairman of the Bishops' Conference in Pakistan, il vescovo di Faisalabad, Joseph Coutts, che ha celebrato il funerale privato del ministro, svoltosi successivamente nel suo villaggio natale, ha "evidenziato che la voce della verità non sarà mai ridotta al silenzio e non permetteremo che l'oscurità prenda il sopravvento sulla luce. Il suo lavoro non si fermerà con la sua morte, lo continueremo noi".
Shahbaz Bhatti, consapevole dell'impegnativa e rischiosa strada intrapresa, aveva condensato lo scopo della sua missione in una sorta di "testamento spirituale" - estratto da una raccolta di testi personali contenuti nel libro "Cristiani in Pakistan. Nelle prove la speranza" edito da Marcianum Press - pubblicato nel sito della Fondazione International Oasis. Bhatti stresses: "I want my life, my character, my actions speak for me and say that I am following Jesus Christ."
The killing of the minister has deeply shaken the conscience of the nation and the resurfacing so disturbing the ability of Islamic fundamentalist groups to act with impunity. This morning, speaking at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, said he was "deeply shocked and dismayed" by the assassination of the minister and said that "vulnerable groups, which are Christian communities in some countries require special protection, "adding that" religious freedom becomes a powerful beacon of hope and reassurance for all minorities, identity and ensuring safety and eliminating the perception of hostility and threats. "
Meanwhile, some local sources have spread the news that the police took a number of arrests of persons suspected of the murder, which sparked outrage in the Muslim community also. The leader of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, said he was "shocked" by the death of the minister who described as a "friend." The Muslim leader pointed out that "those who have claimed responsibility for the assassination are not Muslims nor human beings, because Islam is a peaceful religion that teaches respect for minorities. "Demonstrations of the Christian community and representatives of other minorities, who want more security, continued yesterday as well in some cities, including the capital Islamabad.
(© L 'Osservatore Romano - March 5, 2011)
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