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October 31 , 2001
Pakistan church leaders call for restraint in Afghanistan
3.5 million refugees in desperate need of aid, relief workers say
LAHORE, Pakistan (CNS) — Pakistani Catholic and Protestant bishops have called on the United States to "exercise restraint" in bombing Afghanistan, and the bishops pledged to care for Afghan refugees who enter Pakistan.
"We call upon the United States of America and the United Kingdom to continue to exercise restraint in their attacks over Afghanistan and avoid inflicting damage on life and property of innocent civilians,'' said a joint statement of churches.
Representatives of the Catholic Church, Church of Pakistan, Salvation Army and the National Council of Churches issued the statement Oct. 20 in Lahore.
"As followers of Jesus Christ, we underline our key role as peacemakers and reconcilers (and) commit ourselves to be agents of peace and reconciliation,'' the church leaders said.
The statement, signed by Catholic Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha of Lahore and Bishop Samuel Azariah of Raiwind, moderator of the Church of Pakistan, also pledged help to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
"We pledge our resources for the care of the Afghan refugees who have been shattered by war and offer our wholehearted cooperation toward their rehabilitation in their homeland,'' the statement said.
Afghanistan has been pounded by U.S.-led air strikes since Oct. 7, after Afghanistan's Taliban Islamic rulers refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, chief suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
Some 3.5 million Afghan refugees reportedly have arrived in Pakistan or near its border with Afghanistan.
"These Afghan refugees need our attention and help. We must take care of them without any discrimination. They are all sons and daughters of God,'' National Council of Churches secretary Victor Azariah said in Lahore.
Caritas Pakistan, Church World Service and National Council of Churches representatives already working along the border said refugees are in desperate need of food and shelter.
The joint statement said the Christian leaders "were unanimous in condemning the horrific terrorist attacks'' of Sept. 11 and expressed sympathy and condolences to those affected by the tragedy. The leaders also condemned all forms of international terrorism.
The Christian leaders also expressed support for Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in creating a strong, progressive and united Pakistan.
They said they would help the president tackle causes that breed terrorism, such as extreme frustration, ignorance and injustice.
"Being members of a religious minority, we emphasize that we are Pakistani nationals, proud of our heritage and culture,'' the statement said.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim brethren to work for national integration and communal harmony,'' it added.
The church leaders also urged Musharraf to abolish all discriminatory laws, in particular the separate electorates system that "denies minorities the right of full participation in the democratic process.''
To contribute to Catholic Relief Services efforts, send donations to: CRS Afghan Relief c/o Social Concerns Office, Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210-2599.
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