ICC Note:
Two months after the deadliest single attack on Christians in Pakistan, the bishop of Pakistan’s Anglican Church has reported that the strength and size of the Church has grown since the attack. Christians are becoming stronger in their faith as churches unite and share the burden of persecution as a single, strong community. The bishop has reported that the numbers of Christians attending church since the bombing of All Saints Church in Peshawar, which claimed over 130 lives, has actually increased. He even mentioned that youth involvement has grown in the wake of the bombing. Please pray for strength and endurance for this persecuted community.
11/20/2013 Pakistan (Anglican News) – The Primate of Pakistan has vowed that attacks on Christians will neither dent believers’ faith in Christ and his promises, nor dampen their spirits, and that the Church will look to the future.
Bp Samuel Azariah said attacks such as the recent double suicide bombings in Peshawar had left the country’s Christians angry and fearful, but would not shake their faith in Christ.
Speaking to the Episcopal News Service at the World Council of Churches assembly in Busan, the Moderator of the Church of Pakistan said, “[The attack] was a big shock for the Christians. We lost over 115 people and over 160 people were wounded in just one go; in the middle of worship service. Most of the victims were little children and women.”
“In spite of the beating and the brutal attacks, our faith in the teaching of Jesus Christ, our faith in the promise of abundant life, our faith in the hope of Christ is as lively as it was in the life of the apostles and of the early church.
“Therefore we continue to remain in that faith and nothing will dampen our spirits: bombing, murder, shooting will not dampen our spirits or our commitment to Jesus Christ.”
The Church of Pakistan’s most senior bishop revealed that since the incident the church appeared to be stronger in many ways: “After the Peshawar incident we have seen the churches getting closer, united, and attendance in the worship has just grown.
“The interest of the youth in the life of the Church has just expanded. I’m not saying persecution should be done to strengthen the Church, I’m [just] saying what we’re experiencing in Pakistan.”
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