Pakistan's bishops condemn deadly bomb blasts

Published: 2007-10-19

BANGALORE, India (CNS) -- The Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference has condemned the bomb blasts that killed and injured hundreds of people marking the return of a former prime minister from self-imposed exile. "We consider the killings at Karachi an act of extreme cowardice and terrorism, and demand that the government should ensure the safety of the lives of citizens," said a statement issued Oct. 19 by Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, Pakistan, president of the bishops' conference and chairman of the bishops' National Commission for Justice and Peace. Two blasts, including one by a suicide bomber, rocked the rally in Karachi Oct. 18. The blasts killed more than 130 and injured approximately 290 people who were celebrating the homecoming of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party. The statement said the bishops expressed "solidarity and condolences with the families of the deceased" and condemned the carnage.

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