Pakistani archbishop decries 'absurdity of the blasphemy law'

Published: 2004-06-15

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNS) -- The killing of a Catholic in Pakistan points to "the absurdity of the blasphemy law," a Pakistani archbishop said. Samuel Masih died May 28 from injuries sustained from a beating by a Muslim police officer, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, who presided at Samuel's May 29 funeral Mass, told UCA News, "This case once again brings out the absurdity of the blasphemy law." According to the Daily Times newspaper, Samuel, 27, was hit on the head with a brick cutter by the police officer. At the time of the reported attack, Samuel was being treated in a hospital in Lahore for advanced tuberculosis. He was arrested on the basis of a charge filed in August 2003.

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