LAHORE: The Christian community across Pakistan, including Lahore, attended Easter services in churches amid strict observance of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), as the third wave of the deadly virus continues to wreak havoc in the country.
The total number of Covid-19 active cases has risen to 60,072, while the total number of deaths, with the fresh count of 81 fatalities, have risen to 14,778.
Large gatherings were witnessed in churches in which bishops and pastors delivered special sermons focusing on the most important event in Christian faith – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Special prayers were also offered for peace, progress, prosperity and solidarity of Pakistan and relief from the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has caused mayhem in countries across the world.
In his sermon to the city’s largest Easter congregation at the Central Cathedral of Praying Hands here, Bishop of Raiwind Diocese Dr Azad Marshall said that Easter is the feast of victory over sin and death.
“Resurrection assures us that life in Jesus Christ overcomes death and his truth overcomes lies and his gift of reconciliation that flows from his risen life overcomes hatred and oppression in this world. may his risen life and continual presence strengthen us in bonds of love and unity,” said the bishop.
Urging the masses to adhere to the SOPs issued by the government to stop the spread of Covid-19, Bishop Marshall said that the pandemic requires a whole-of society approach to prevent the transmission of the virus.
“One of the ways of being kind is to practice social distancing and following the government’s SOPs strictly so that we can prevent infecting other people. Only precaution will help us in stopping the spread of this virus and returning normalcy to our lives,” said the bishop, who is also the president of the National Council of Churches in Pakistan.
Commending the government for allowing church services and providing security cover, Bishop Marshall said that the Christian community acknowledged the government’s efforts for protection of its non-Muslim citizens.
He assured the government of the church leadership’s full support in ensuring interfaith harmony and national cohesion. “We also assure the government of our full support in this time of hardship and look forward to working with it to address the socioeconomic difficulties being faced by our people due to the pandemic,” he said.
PM, MINISTERS FELICITATE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY:
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a tweet, wished all Christian citizens a happy Easter. “Wishing all our Christian citizens a happy Easter,” he wrote.
Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood also took to Twitter on the occasion. “To all my Christian friends. Happy Easter,” he wrote. “May this day bring great joy to you and your families,” he added.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi also felicitated Christian community of world, especially Pakistan.
In a statement, the foreign minister said that the Christian community living in Pakistan has rendered sacrifices for the country. He said that the protection of rights of minorities was one of the top priorities of the government incumbent government.
He passed his best wishes to the Christian community on Easter.
