Pakistan
must repeal its anti-blasphemy law because it acts as a "pretext for
acts of injustice and violence against religious minorities", the pope
said Monday as he urged world leaders to ensure Christians are protected
from attack and discrimination.
In an address devoted to religious freedom, Benedict XVI said the "tragic murder" of Salmaan Taseer,
the Punjab governor who was killed for opposing legislation that
imposes a death sentence for people who insult the prophet Muhammad,
showed there was an "urgent need to make progress" in the abrogation of
this law.
He told an audience of ambassadors assigned to the Holy See: "The particular influence of a given religion
in a nation ought never to mean that citizens of another religion can
be subject to discrimination in social life or, even worse, that
violence against them can be tolerated.
"In this regard, it is
important for interreligious dialogue to favour a common commitment to
recognising and promoting the religious freedom of each person and
community."
He also criticised countries such as Saudi Arabia,
which curtails the worship of its million-plus Christian immigrant
population by outlawing the public preaching and practise of non-Muslim
religions.
"The right to religious freedom is not fully respected
when only freedom of worship is guaranteed, and that with restrictions,"
he said.
"Furthermore, I encourage the accompaniment of the full
safeguarding of religious freedom and other human rights by programmes
which, beginning in primary school and within the context of religious
instruction, will educate everyone to respect their brothers and sisters
in humanity."
He added: "Regarding the states of the Arabian
peninsula, where numerous Christian immigrant workers live, I hope that
the Catholic church will be able to establish suitable pastoral
structures."
He reiterated his alarm at the escalating persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Nigeria – a concern he shares with other religious leaders – while also taking aim at the west for marginalising Christianity
through "the banning of religious feasts and symbols from civic life
under the guise of respect for members of other religions or those who
are not believers".
Not only was the right of believers to the
public expression of their faith restricted, but an attack was made on
the cultural roots that nourished "the profound identity and social
cohesion of many nations", he told the assembled diplomats.
He
commended the Council of Europe for granting doctors and nurses the
right to exercise conscientious objection concerning abortion, and
praised those European countries that joined Italy's fight to keep
crucifixes displayed in public places.
SIC: TG/UK