Amid persecution in Pakistan, Dominican vocations flourish

September 10, 2010

As the Dominicans hold their general chapter in Rome, the order’s vice provincial in Pakistan discusses the persecution Christians endure there. Noting that “the Church in Pakistan is a suffering Church, and attacks against Christians have increased recently,” Father James Channan says that “Muslims of Pakistan know that Christians are very firm in the faith, and that we follow the Christ who forgave others and loved his enemies. We do not respond to violence with violence or hatred with hatred.”

Citing statistics that call to mind Tertullian’s observation that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians, Father Channan adds:

We have 36 professed friars, four novices and 22 young aspirants. That gives us great hope. Our life is challenging and difficult but with the grace of God, we are confident and keep on giving a Dominican witness of Christ in our land.

 

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Further information:

• Interview: James Channan, Prior Vice-Provincial Ibn-e-Mariam, Vice Province of Pakistan (Order of Preachers)