The Most Rev. Azad Marshall, moderator and presiding bishop of the Church of Pakistan, has invoked the memory of the Apostle Thomas in asking for greater freedom for Christians. During a reception in the week of April 15, Marshall asked that the government include Christians in the Gandhara Corridor, a historic area critical in the histories of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity.
The moderator’s request builds on legislation submitted by Dr. Ramesh Vankwani Kumar, a Hindu legislator, who asked that the people of his faith be included in the corridor as a way of establishing it as a “favorite pilgrimage destination and an international hub of Gandhara tourism.”
“The region holds immense religious value for Christians because St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus Christ, came to the subcontinent through Taxila,” Marshall said. “There is a monument of the revered saint at Taxila, which is very sacred for Christians. The church intends to organize religious [pilgrimages], as well as establish a museum of Christian artifacts there. We would appreciate if the government of Pakistan would amend the draft bill to include Christians in it.”
Both Christianity and Hinduism are minority religions in Pakistan, sharing the category of “Other” at 3.5 percent in the CIA World Facebook. Most Pakistanis are Sunni Muslims (85-90%). Violence against Christians and Hindus is frequent, sometimes on a massive scale. Mobs attacked 26 churches in August 2023 amid accusations of blasphemy.
Marshall sought to emphasize good will between Christians and Muslims as he hosted a reception to celebrate both Easter and the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitre, according to a report in The Nation, a newspaper based in Lahore.
“Let us pledge to foster greater understanding and build a society where every individual, regardless of their faith, can thrive,” Marshall said. “Together, we can turn the ideals of peace, unity, and compassion into a lasting reality.”
Marshall read aloud from a message sent by Archbishop Justin Welby: “My prayer for you this evening is that friendships will be formed, that peace will be fostered across religions, that Lahore might be a symbol for the whole world of how we can live together well.”
Two guests at the reception, Federal Minister for Information Ataullah Tarar and U.S. Consul General Kristen Hawkins, said its purpose was to promote unity, cooperation, and interfaith harmony.
“We are grateful to Bishop Marshall who has brought us all together like a bouquet of flowers in this Eid get together,” the information minister said. “Many Sikh brothers are participating in their religious festivals in Pakistan, which is a proof that Pakistan is a peace-loving country.”
“I know the recent days and weeks have been marked by celebrations for many individuals in this room, as some celebrated Eid and some celebrated Easter,” Hawkins said. “I look forward to the conversations that we will continue to have tonight and beyond about how we can collectively work to build a brighter future for individuals of all backgrounds and faiths.”
Douglas LeBlanc is the Associate Editor for Book Reviews and writes about Christianity and culture. He and his wife, Monica, attend St. John’s Parish Church on Johns Island, South Carolina.
