Washington D.C., Nov 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Mob attacks against Christian sites in Pakistan appear to be “an organized act of terrorism,” according to the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ International Policy Committee, who called for an investigation of the events.
“The government should take affirmative steps to educate the people about tolerance and peace, remove religious biases in teaching materials, and repeal discriminatory laws,” said Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando in a November 17th letter to the Pakistani ambassador to the United States.
Three churches – Catholic, Presbyterian, and Salvation Army – in the town of Sangla Hills were “attacked, ransacked, and burned” on November 12, according to Bishop Wenski, as were a sisters’ convent, a girls’ hostel, a Catholic school, and the pastor’s house.
“The all too convenient excuse of an alleged desecration of the Holy Quran by one individual, even if such occurred, which seems doubtful, could never justify such wanton acts against innocent people,” Bishop Wenski said.