Religious discrimination must be stopped, pope tells Pakistani leader

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI told Pakistan's president that all forms of religious discrimination must be overcome.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari met with the pope Oct. 1 for closed-door discussions at the papal summer residence south of Rome in Castel Gandolfo. Later, he held talks at the Vatican with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the secretary of state, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for relations with states.

"The cordial discussions provided an opportunity to examine the current situation in Pakistan, with particular reference to the fight against terrorism and the commitment to create a society more tolerant and harmonious in all its aspects," said a written statement issued by the Vatican after the meeting.

The pope and Vatican officials touched on the problem of violence against Christian communities in some parts of Pakistan "and the elements that have favored such serious incidents," the statement said.

It said "emphasis was given to the need to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religious affiliation, with the aim of promoting respect for all citizens."

Violence against Christians in Pakistan reached new heights over the summer when 10 Catholics were killed in rioting in the Punjab province. The deaths came when a Muslim mob vandalized and looted 113 Christian houses and damaged four Protestant churches.

The attacks on Christians in recent years have prompted Catholic leaders to call for constitutional amendments to protect religious minorities.

Strict blasphemy laws in Pakistan make insulting the Quran, the sacred book of Islam, an offense punishable by life imprisonment, while conviction on a charge of insulting the Prophet Mohammed brings an automatic death sentence.

Church leaders have said the laws are being abused for personal gain and to stoke sectarian hatred.

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