Catholics and other Christians in Pakistan are holding three days of public mourning in memory of Shahbaz Bhatti, the Catholic cabinet minister assassinated for his opposition to the nation’s blasphemy law. March 4, the day of his burial, is a special day of prayer and fasting, with bishops offering a memorial Mass in Islamabad and a funeral Mass in Faisalabad.

Christians took to the streets in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Quetta to protest the “absence and inaction” of the nation’s government, a local source told the Fides news agency.

“If the country became a killing field of democratic and liberal people who exercise freedom of conscience and expression, it would legitimize the criminals trying to take over the country,” Catholic and Protestant leaders said in joint statement. 4-March-2011 -- Catholic World News Brief