There are different ways of creating a family climate in the world and sometimes they can work beyond prejudices. For example, in Pakistan, where “the members of the family choose one’s partner for marriage and we have often seen that it is an advantage if the families of origin are involved in the construction of the couple”. This is the opinion of Mgr. Rufin Anthony, Bishop of Islamabad – Rawalpindi, whom Sir met in Milan at the 7th World Meeting of the Families.
Aid to the families in crisis. The bishop talks about a reality which is very different from that of Europe and North America, but “we are here to listen and learn – he says – and we believe that others too can learn something from us”. Mgr. Anthony points out that “in most situations, even if the relatives offer the groom or the bride, the son or the daughter may refuse. In any case, the families in Pakistan are very united, there is much respect and fidelity between husband and wife. What risks of undermining family life is social change: many people move to the cities, but they are not prepared. They come in search for work, as now there is less employment in the countryside because agriculture got mechanized and also because of the increased needs and requirements, induced by the models proposed by the media. The problem is that there aren’t jobs for everyone, and less than 50% of young people are educated. Only in Karachi 16 million people live, a disproportionate number indeed”. There isn’t a real pastoral care for the family in the country, but there are groups of the Focolare which help the families in crisis, above all in the cities, or when they married without the support of their own families.
Living as a minority. Christians make up for only 3% of the population; the majority is Muslim. The Catholic Church has seven dioceses and a prefecture. “Pakistani Christians are native”, emphasizes the bishop, while the other religions have come “from outside”. Christians enjoy religious freedom, but in society they are discriminated, especially in their working places, and “mixed marriages are discouraged”. The churches are “protected” by the police, but there are also internal members of the community who control those who get in and those who get out from our churches. At Christmas and Easter, at the entrance of Christian worship centres, metal detectors are installed. “Until now there have not been attacks against Christians – said the bishop but we want to prevent such an event to take place”. According to Mgr. Anthony, however, the main problem, especially in Karachi, is not terrorism, but rather the “conflicts between different ethnic groups”.
Ecumenical cooperation. While, in this context, inter-religious dialogue is not practiced, what is working very well are dialogue and ecumenical cooperation between Roman Catholics and Protestants, who hold moments of prayer and entertainment in common and are considered as equals by the Muslim majority.
(01 June 2012)
