Pakistan: Catholic accused of blasphemy had accused others

February 24, 2011

Agnes Nuggo, a Catholic woman jailed on charges of blasphemy against Islam, recently accused three other Christians of blasphemy, according to the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

“Agnes is the victim of a vendetta, but she too has made mistakes: in fact in recent weeks, because of a private quarrel, she had falsely accused three Christians, telling the local imam that they had insulted … Muhammad,” Fides reported. “Verifying their innocence, Agnes made a public apology, admitting her mistake and apologizing. However, now she is the victim being falsely accused of blasphemy and the same local imam has testified against her.”

“Accusations of blasphemy against Christians, members of other religious minorities and even against Muslims continue to occur,” said Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore. “The law is open to abuse and this is what is continually happening: this causes us great concern. We must not stop our efforts and our mobilization to change this law. We hope that Agnes' story can be clarified and resolved quickly.”

 

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Further information:

• Catholic woman in jail for blasphemy in Punjab: Bishops' concerns and appeal (Fides)
• Another Pakistani Christian woman faces blasphemy charge (CWN, 2/22)