Pakistan: neighborhood devastated by anti-Christian violence being rebuilt
March 28, 2013
With assistance from the provincial government, hundreds of Christians made homeless by an anti-Christian rampage in Lahore are returning to their neighborhood.
“The incident of Joseph Colony, where 178 homes of the faithful were burned by a Muslim mob, for an alleged blasphemy case, has not discouraged the faithful in Lahore,” said Father Bonnie Mendes. “The atmosphere, despite the tragic violence, is of great optimism and there is a will to rebuild or repair their homes.”
“The reconstruction is being carried out very quickly, people are going back to their homes, the provincial government gave compensation, and in a few days, working day and night, more than 30 families have already rebuilt their homes,” he added.
Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, president of the Pakistani bishops’ conference, predicted that “at Easter, our churches will be packed. The faith of the faithful is alive and strong: violence or attacks, such as that of Joseph Colony in Lahore, have the effect of strengthening it even more.”
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Further information:
- Archbishop Coutts: "At Easter, our churches will be packed" (Fides)
- Missionary beaten in Pakistan; hundreds of Christians remain homeless (CWN, 3/18)
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