We are one: ‘Interfaith harmony way forward’

The Archbishop discussed state of education with Governor Muhammad Sarwar.

LAHORE:

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, one of the most prominent dioceses in the world, attended a presentation and tableaux by students of St Peter’s High School, Lucie Harrison Girls School and Dar-ul-Mussarat on Wednesday. He met with students and reminisced about his own school days.

He later held a communion service for more than 1,000 people at the Cathedral Church on The Mall. The Archbishop held a press conference at St Peter’s High School where he expressed concern over various problems faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.

Archbishop Welby said that he had met several politicians, including Governor Muhammad Sarwar, parliamentarians, Muslim and Christian religious leaders and diplomats and everyone believed that the blasphemy law was being misused.

“The blasphemy law should not be used for political or personal gains...as a civil society we must solve this problem of misuse amicably,” he said. The Archbishop stressed on efforts to promote interfaith harmony and reconciliation.

Flanked by Humphrey S Peters, bishop of Peshawar, and Samuel Azariah, moderator of the Church of Pakistan and bishop of Raiwind, the Archbishop said everyone agreed that the misuse of the law must be stopped. But as it was a sensitive matter, he said, he did not find it appropriate to provide a solution on how to stop the misuse.



Discussing his meeting with the governor and his wife, Archbishop Welby said the governor was deeply familiar with the situation in Pakistan and in the UK and had showed strong support in resolving the issue. He said the governor had assured him that he was fully aware of the issue and would raise the matter wherever he could.

Archbishop Welby expressed his satisfaction over the security provided to worship places of religious minorities in Pakistan. He said worship places were protected and essential security was provided so that people could worship freely. He said Christians were exemplary citizens of Pakistan. He said they had rendered great service in the field of education, not only to Christians but to Muslims as well.

Addressing a thanksgiving ceremony at the Cathedral, the Archbishop said the church had suffered in many ways. Referring to the attack on a church in Peshawar last year, he said, “Our hearts were broken, we prayed for you every day.”

On Tuesday, the Archbishop and his delegation attended a short midday worship service at the Bishop Rockey Chapel.  He attended a meeting with non-Christian religious leaders which included representatives of Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities. They spoke about the general situation in Pakistan and the role of interfaith dialogue in building peace. The Archbishop also met Senator Kamran Michael and discussed the state of education in Pakistan.

Welby was named the 105th Archbishop of the See of Canterbury on February 04, 2013, succeeding Dr Rowan Williams. Welby has historic connections with Lahore. His great grandfather Montague Butler was the deputy commissioner of Lahore from 1909 to 1911.

His wife, Caroline Butler was born and baptised in Lahore and is fluent in Urdu.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2014.