Church leaders condemn bloody Easter attack on Pakistani Christians

Church leaders have expressed their concern and grief for victims of the suicide bombing at a children's playground and park in Lahore, Pakistan, on Sunday, which killed more than 70 people and left hundreds of parents and children injured. Most, but not all of the casualties, were Christian families celebrating Easter.

The Taliban faction Jamaat ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the bombing. "We carried out the Lahore attack as Christians are our target," said spokesman Ehansullah Ehsan.

In his Angelus address address today to pilgrims in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis called for a moment of prayer. He said the attack was "reprehensible" and "bloodied" Easter.

"I wish to express my closeness to all those affected by this cowardly and senseless crime, and ask you to pray to the Lord for the numerous victims and their loved ones," Pope Francis said.

"I appeal to the civil authorities and to all the social components of Pakistan]to do everything possible to restore security and peace to the population and, in particular, to the most vulnerable religious minorities."

"I repeat, once again, that violence and murderous hatred lead only to pain and destruction; respect and fraternity are the only way to achieve peace... The Passover of the Lord inspires in us, in an even more powerful way, prayers to God so that he stops the hands of the violent, who spread terror and death; and makes it possible for love, justice and reconciliation to reign in the world."

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: "The perversity of evil knows no bounds. It sinks to a new low of hatred in deliberately targeting women and children celebrating their Easter Day in peace.

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the worldwide Anglican communion, tweeted: "We pray for the victims of Lahore to the crucified God, who brings hope in despair, whose love is with the victims, who promises justice."

"This despicable act, aimed at Christians, is utterly contemptible and condemned just as we fervently pray for those who have died and been wounded."

Christians suffer grave persecution in Pakistan and have suffered many attacks in recent years. Five years ago the Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, who defended the rights of Christians, was assassinated. Christian wife and mother Asia Bibi has been in solitary confinement on death row since 2009 on a charge of blasphemy. (She drank water at a Muslim well). A year ago, a bomb at a Catholic church in Lahore, killed 15 people and injured 70.

Read Lord Alton's latest blog, 'Carnage in Lahore - Pakistan and UK Governments Failure to Challenge Persecution or the Culture of Impunity. Links to previous posts about Pakistan's Christians, Shahbaz Bhatti, Asia Bibi here: http://davidalton.net/2016/03/28/carnage-in-lahore-pakistan-and-uk-governments-failure-to-challenge-persecution-or-the-culture-of-impunity-links-to-previous-posts-about-pakistans-christians-shahbaz-bhatti-asia-bibbi-and-the/