Church attacked in Karachi

August 31, 2011

Vandals attacked a parish in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, on August 27.

“Wooden ventilators 14 feet high were broken,” said Father Richard D’Souza, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Nasrat Nagar, a Christian neighborhood. “Marble stones, shattered glass from window panes and pieces of wood were found on the church floor when we opened the doors.”

Mosques were also attacked amid brutal ethnic violence that has flared in the city of 12.8 million.

“Attacks on mosques, innocent lives, even the Catholic church of St. Joseph was hit by vandals a few days ago--the situation is difficult, and people are very afraid,” said Father Mario Rodrigues, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. “We ask the local and federal government to take adequate measures to ensure social peace and fight with determination and effectiveness against terrorist groups who want to destabilize the country.”

 

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Further information:

• "Mission Year": focus on the role of Christians and rights for religious minorities (Fides)
• Church attack puts Christians on guard (UCA News)
• Ethnic killings spark doom in Pakistan's biggest city (Reuters)