Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary
Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary
Catholic World News

Pakistani archbishop appalled by government's retreat on blasphemy law

February 04, 2011

Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Labore, the president of the Pakistani bishops’ conference, has expressed his dismay at the government’s decision to back away from efforts to amend the country’s blasphemy law.

After promising reform of the law, which has been used as a means to intimidate the Christian minority, the government retreated in the face of pressure from Islamic groups, and announced that it would leave the law unchanged. Archbishop Saldanha characterized the reversal as “an act of surrender.” “It’s a mistake giving in to pressure by Islamic parties,” the archbishop said. “The government has totally caved in,” he observed.

 


For all current news, visit our News home page.


 
Further information:
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

  • Posted by: Justin8110 - Feb. 04, 2011 10:32 PM ET USA

    It seems naive to live in a Muslim country run by Muslim principles and say that you are "appalled" by something like a blasphemy law. Why are Christians and Westerners in general so unwilliing to face the reality that Islam is growing and it doesn't come in peace? The answer is that to do so would mean we would have to take a stand and to take a stand would mean violence and probable martyrdom. Islam has always been and continues to be swift and brutal to all who oppose it.