Vatican official calls for religious cooperation in Pakistan

VATICAN CITY - A top Vatican official urged Pakistani Christians to spread the Christian message, but also to show respect for the Muslim faith.

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, secretary of the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples, called for religious cooperation saying, "As a small minority in a predominately Muslim society, the church in Pakistan lives and moves within a framework which calls for sensitivity and great love for our Muslim brothers and sisters."

"Christian love urges us to dialogue and to promote positive and constructive relations with individuals and communities of other religions. It is uplifting to hear that tremendous effort has been made in Pakistan to witness the fact that Christians and Muslims can work and walk together in peace," he said in a message marking a new missionary initiative of the Catholic Church in Pakistan.

"The Year of the Mission," which began Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2012, marks the 60th anniversary of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan. More than 100 religious leaders from seven dioceses in Pakistan met at for three-day conference prior to the start of the mission, according to Fides, the news agency of the evangelization congregation.

They discussed the challenges faced by minority Christians in Pakistan today, citing religious fundamentalism, inequality, discrimination and extremism. Christians make up only 2 percent of the population in Pakistan, and face many obstacles in enjoying full religious freedom, they said.

Archbishop Hon Tai-Fai also asked Christians to be disciples of peace, "As Christians, we are convinced of the truth that Christ is our peace. Thus, we proclaim Christ and preach his Gospel, because by his life and death he taught us how to love serve and make peace among individuals."