Catholic leaders in Pakistan condemn assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Published: 2007-12-27

THRISSUR, India (CNS) -- Catholic leaders in Pakistan have condemned the assassination at an election rally of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party. "We condemn this dastardly act. It is a terrible tragedy for Pakistan," said Bishop Anthony Lobo of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Pakistan, in a Dec. 27 telephone interview with Catholic News Service from Rawalpindi, where Bhutto was assassinated. According to reports, Bhutto, 54, and at least 20 others were killed Dec. 27 in a suicide attack. "Obviously, this is a setback for democracy," he said. "The forces that were opposed to it have succeeded this time." Describing Bhutto as "an extraordinary, brave woman," Bishop Lobo said that "she was aware of the great danger to her life. Yet, she went around to assert democracy and laid down her life in the process." Peter Jacob, executive secretary of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Pakistani bishops' conference, told CNS, "The people are stunned and angry."

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