Today, April 20, 2011 is a special day of prayer for our sister Asia Bibi and other Christians who are suffering for their faith and living under oppressive blasphemy laws in Pakistan.
The Catholic Culture website is reporting...
Christians throughout Pakistan, including the nation’s bishops, are commemorating April 20 as a day of prayer and fasting for Asia Bibi and other victims of the nation’s blasphemy law. Bibi, a Catholic mother, was accused of blasphemy against Muhammad following a dispute with a neighbor; in 2010, she was sentenced to death.
Spero News is also reporting on this very important prayer need today...
Lahore – Pakistani Christians and churches around the world have lighted candles and said prayers to save Asia Bibi, the 45-year-old mother of five, sentenced to death on blasphemy charges and now the target of Muslim fundamentalists. The initiative was launched on 13 April by the Masihi Foundation and has been picked up by bishops, priests and Pakistani lay people. Mgr Rufin Anthony told AsiaNews that “he was deeply touched by her faith”, which “shall set her free” because of her belief in “Christ the Saviour”. In the meantime, Arif Masih, the 40-year-old Christian man held for a few days on blasphemy charges, later dropped, is in a safe location in “good physical and mental conditions”.
This afternoon at 4 pm (Pakistan time), special Masses and vigil prayers and fasting were held to remember Asia Bibi and all the victims of Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy law. The Catholic woman has been on death row for almost two years, far from her husband and children, waiting for her death sentence to be carried out.
