03 March 2011_?xml_:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Dear friends in the partner churches and ecumenical network,
Warm greetings from PROK!
With deep concern for and solidarity with the NCC-Pakistan for the murder of Pakistan Government’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti we, the PROK, issued the following statement.
Let us pray together for peace in Pakistan.
Sincerely,
Shin Seung-Min
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)
Academy House, San 76, Insu-dong
Kangbuk-gu, South Korea 142-714
March 3, 2011
Rev. Victor Azariah,
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in Pakistan
Dear Rev. Azariah,
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea received the news of the assassination of the Pakistan Government’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, with great horror and grief. As the only Christian member of the Pakistan government since 2008, Mr. Bhatti played a very important role in the affairs of your country, and was a voice for the marginalized in your society. Mr. Bhatti received numerous recognitions for his peace and human rights advocacy throughout the years. We know that he spoke out against the Blasphemy Laws, which are an affront to human rights and dignity, and a sad commentary at the lack of tolerance for free thought and speech and acceptance of God’s great gift of diversity in the world. Mr. Bhatti will be sadly missed, by the global community, as well as by his own constituents. He was an inspiration to all Christians and the just-peace loving communities who feel called to represent their people in the parliaments of the world.
Rev. Azariah, we take this opportunity to express our distress for the Christian community in Pakistan, and our commitment to pray without ceasing for them. We pray for courage in the face of this outrage and peace in the face of threat and terror. May the God of the universe, the Hope for the hopeless, give your people the gifts of His Spirit; the spirit, as Paul wrote to Timothy, “not of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). We also pray for a new spirit of tolerance and justice for minorities throughout your country.
May God lead the Pakistan Council of Churches through this wilderness time.
Yours in solidarity and Christian fellowship,
Rev. Bae Tae-Jin
General Secretary
PROK
