Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the chair of the Roman Catholic church's council for interfaith dialogue, said he had been profoundly shocked by accounts of the horrific death of Shehzad Masih and Shama Bibi.
"How can we remain impassive before such crimes, justified in the name of religion?," Tauran said on Vatican Radio, urging Muslim leaders in Pakistan to vigorously condemn the killings.
"It is all of humanity that is humiliated," he said, adding: "The first victims are in fact Muslims because these misdeeds give an image of Islam that is terrible."
On November 4, an enraged mob beat a Christian man and his pregnant wife to death and then burnt their bodies in the brick kiln where they worked for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran.
The premier, who is chairing a cabinet meeting in Islamabad, said the culprits will be brought to book. Federal ministers attending the meeting also condemned the attack.
While in Lahore, CM Shahbaz met the inspector general Punjab and other law enforcement agencies officials and reiterated that strict action will be taken against the perpetrators.
COMMENTS (48)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731573461-0/BeFunky-collage-(57)1731573461-0-165x106.webp "article")
1722585575-0/BeFunky-collage-(22)1722585575-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731572852-0/emily-(2)1731572852-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731571819-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(40)1731571819-0-270x192.webp "thousands in paris protest controversial gala organised by israel s far right")
1731565696-0/Untitled-design-(6)1731565696-0-270x192.webp "japan politician s call for ban on women marrying after 25 sparks backlash")
1731569693-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(39)1731569693-0-270x192.webp "trump selects tulsi gabbard as director of national intelligence")
@CMSHAHBAZ: Two wrong doesn't make one right...I hope you have understood my point
@Patriotic Pakistani: why should the VATICAN comment on muslims- why cant the OIC or the grand mufti of MEECA comment
@Ali Tanoli - "One bad incident happened and we all condemn " You people do not condemn anything ! you let a fanatical part of your society commit horrendous crimes then you try to balance it with situations in other parts of the world that are not related.
Look ate fear on the faces of this children. These children are going to grow up knowing fear and persecution from a young age.
@Sooraj One bad incident happend and we all condenm this but whole world should see and stop supporting israel terrorism in palestine and india terrorism in kashmir and mass killing of innocent peoples of iraq and afghanistan whether its Rusia or USA or any so called super power what u say i guess shame on this civilized world.
Its sad that people can't accept how horrific this crime is and rather bother about what Vatican said and did not say during Israel conflict, why are you -so-pious Muslims so quiet about Muslims killing Muslims around the world, Many say 1000 people were killed in the 50 days war in Palestine. 1000 Muslims are being killed by Muslims everyday! Open you sewn eyes and see the filth, Save yourselves!
And for all you who harp on about Vatican Read if you know English and can access Internet
Vatican Holds First Ever Jewish And Islamic Prayers For Israel-Palestine Conflict Resolution Pope Invites Israeli and Palestinian Leaders to Meet at Vatican Pope Francis gives Palestinians boost of supportShame on you all!
To the previous comments comparing the brutality of this young couple to civilian deaths post 9/11 I would like to state this this act was committed BY Pakistanis ON FELLOW Pakistanis. This has nothing to do with the west. We are becoming a highly xenophobic and narrow minded country and are being led astray by our clergy from our own religion. Unless we take full responsibility for this behavior and mindset things will never change.
@CMSHAHBAZ:
Doesn't justify the act. Whenever I start believing that the human race has reached the epitome of stupidity, people like you prove me wrong.
It is not of our concern how Vatican reacts to US invasions. What should concern us is that minorities in Pakistan are being ruthlessly murdered day after day. Stick with this mentality and that day isn't far when people like yourself will become the victim.
@Indian Catholic: Come again? Ever saw a dollar bill? It reads "In God We Trust". Go figure.
Vatican mind its own priests first in back yard what a shamefull things they do and then vatican should see palestine whats happening there with innocent palestinean then they need to look at Burma and its minority and india in kashmir list goes on and on............
Fascinating how so many use this terrible story to condemn Vatican for allegedly not speaking speaking up against atrocities done in Gaza by Israel but themselves say nothing much about what has been going on against Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, Shi'ah, Sunnis in the name of protecting the honour of Islam, the Prophet and the Companions. Do they wish the Vatican to remain silent? The way the Protectors of the Two Holy Sites always have done? The way most maulanas in politics have done?
Why the Mullah has not been arrested who instigated the mob to kill the poor labourers. A few months past same thing happened in Gujranwala where Ahmadi women and children were burnt alive by the mob. Even there no action was taken against the Mulla, the main culprit. CM has dished out five million rupees for the family. It is OK. But he did not help the aggrieved family in Gujranwala . Only because they were Ahmadis. Why this discrimination ?Had he taken stern action against the imam masjid things could have been different in Kasur.
Vatican is no authority when it comes to raising voice against any oppression or wrongdoing. Not because I belong from a different faith but because of their lack of action or words, for that matter, with respect to Gaza killings. What concrete actions has the Vatican taken in respect of the molestation charges against its own bishops? Where was the Vatican when millions of people around the world were brutally being killed in Vietnam, Lebnon, Afghanistan and Iraq?
@oBSERVER: @Akhlaq:
I replied earlier but the ET moderator did not let it through. ET: 3rd attempt.
27 July 2014: Mentioning those in Israel and Gaza, as well as the ongoing challenges of life in Iraq and Ukraine, the Pope's voice appeared to crack with emotion as he interrupted his usual scripted speech. "Please stop," he said. "I ask you with all my heart, it's time to stop. Stop, please!"
Why do Pakistanis bring up Palestine every time someone in Pakistan kills a Christian or forcibly marries an underage Hindu girl?
Vatican does not represent Judaism or the nation states of the west and israel, so why do they have to answer for all wars created by these people. However they have the right to comment on two christians being butchered in the name of religion, because they represent the religion that was wronged in this case. Pakistanis are so good at 'what-about-isms' and connecting everything with Palestine and the west.
@Indian, 7 Australian christian missionaries were burned alive... If you remember by your Hindu extremists group...
And Mr. POPE of Vatican you did not said a word when Muslims are being slaughtered in Myanmar, India, Kashmir, Phalistine, and many other places.
Please be considerable with your words.
Some ignorant people still not accepting shortcomings of our society and making illogical comparison with iraq Libya etc. For their knowledge in iraq and Libya internal war is going on whereas this case is mob violence which depicts the mental state of our society. Pathetic country we have become because of people like you who never accept their own shortcomings.
Interesting to note. Two christians die the media is all over it and the vatican gives a strong statement as well. Thousands of muslims die every day across the globe but there is no statement from the OIC or any other organisation. when you make your lives cheap, you get treated that way.
Vetican should ask Italian government to round up all muslim Pakistanis living in Italy, send them to Pakistan. In their place Christian Pakistanis could be settled.
I can hardly look at this picture. It's moving. Sincerely hope the government of Pakistan looks after them.
My dear Veticans!
Alas...not a single word on Brutal Killings of Muslims in Palistine.... No doubt incident in Pakistan is horrible But we expect council to break the shameful silence on what's happening in middle-east.
Ohhhh, the Vatican says so ... Where was the Vatican during the colonial period or during the world wars or during those times when the west was at war with others ...
where is the revolutionary leader who thinks that by listening to his songs or celebrating with hindus happy days is all that is needed to bring a revolution, what action he will take to react to this barbarism by his fellow muslims?
Humanity yes... But Pakistan no...
A really really bad thing has happened and at least some political figures should accept it. Lip service every time from Muslims and their supporters always bad mouth "others". That is no solution!! No wonder horrific tragedies happen in your country- case in point Wagha blast and an SHO going mental are just two recent examples. All religious "narratives" have to be reviewed and amended as per conditions that exist today. We must get together on this and follow through. Else Pakistanis will be ashamed to be called thus and the devolution of the state will happen sooner than later.
my all sympatheis with the victim family.
When 14 people of PAT were killed by the police, since today no one has been arrested. Worst, even an FIR could not be reported. So if the government can massacre innocent people then why can't their people take the law in their own hands. And now the Vatican has taken notice and the issue has become international. Gullu Butt was given 11 year jail sentence, but what about those Police official who were standing there and support him, who were the people backing him, now he has been made a scapegoat.
Shahbaz shareef is responsible for this
I think Vatican should take care of these three very young children who have now been orphaned and also arrange for their adoption by some considerate family in Europe. With so much money and influence, it is a very easy task for them.
@CMSHAHBAZ Its not about, Politics, Country or War, Its about Two Innocent minority Human being(a women along with prenatal baby in his womb) and you are dragging here America & its war policies? sick beyond sick, Didn't you read somewhere in Hadith that Stop the Evil by force if you have power to do so, If not then by your words and even you don't have courage then move away and curse that evil by your heart.
@unknown: Vatican Should Educate “Their People” To Respect Other Religions. When Muslims Were Getting Tortured By “Their People” In Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Vaticans Looked The Otherway. Shame On Vatican To Keeping a Blind Eye To The Atrocity Committed By “Their People” .
How many Catholic countries have participated in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan? The USA is not Catholic, nor is the UK.
Please do not utter something with half-baked knowledge.
Why is the humanity humiliated only when the Christians die? Or is it that as per Vatican only the Christians constitute humanity?
The Vatican couldn't have put it any better. If Pakistan does not mend its ways, there's serious trouble around the corner. Put a lid on religion and treat humans as humans.
No doubt the act is shameful, however anyone come across the such statement from Vetican when Israel killed 1,000 Palestinians few months back.
Start public executions again. There is no other way of dealing with the kind of inhuman beasts that are roaming around freely in Pakistan. EU really ought to rethink its pressure on Pakistan to stop capital punishment. Who will take care of these poor children? And who will ensure their safety?
I say no need to run a trial. Gather the entire town and throw them inside furnance. Coz in no way that couple will get justice with current system and law and order situation. Despicable Human race,.
Vatican Should Educate "Their People" To Respect Other Religions. When Muslims Were Getting Tortured By "Their People" In Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Vaticans Looked The Otherway. Shame On Vatican To Keeping a Blind Eye To The Atrocity Committed By "Their People" .
Vatican did not speak when thousands of Muslims were massacred in Iraq and Afghanistan.It should take care of Peodophyls rather than embarrassing itself through such comments.
Faith is blind, religion demands faith, in turn religion wants you to be blind, so religion is blind, and blindness cannot bring beacons.
Humanity is becoming a rare commodity in Pakistan.
It does every time when USA invades a country and Vatican is always quiet .
An atrocity which should be an embarrassment to all Muslims and spotlights an xenophobic mindset which is becoming the norm in Pakistan. What's it take for the peaceful good Pakistani Muslims to take to the streets and demand change?