British Pakistani Christians to protest after Peshawar church bombing

Pakistani Christian worshippers, some of them who survived Sunday's suicide bombing, pray during a special mass for the victims of the bombing, at the Church where the attack took place, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 23, 2013. Angry Pakistani Christians denounced the deadliest attack ever in this country against members of their faith. A pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up amid hundreds of worshippers outside a historic church in northwestern Pakistan. (AP)

British Pakistani Christians were due to protest in London on Tuesday to express their frustration over the Pakistani government's failure to protect minority Christians.

It comes after Sunday's deadly twin suicide bombing outside All Saints' church in Peshawar in which at least 80 people were killed as they exited from Sunday Mass.

The protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London was organised by the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) to put pressure on the Pakistani government to ensure Christians are protected.

They were to follow up the protest with the delivery of a petition to 10 Downing Street asking that the UK government step in to help Christians in Pakistan.

Similar protests have been taking place across Pakistan, where only around 1.6 per cent of the population is believed to be Christian.

The BPCA represents Christians of Pakistani origin in the UK, many of whom fled Pakistan to escape the violence and intimidation they faced there.

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the BPCA, said: "This is one of the worst attacks on Christians in Pakistan we have ever seen. Many people have died and many have been seriously injured, but still nothing is done by the Pakistan government to prevent such attacks - which are becoming more and more frequent. We have organised this protest outside the High Commission to highlight the desperate plight of Christians in Pakistan and the constant threat of violence they face on a daily basis. "

He urged Pakistan to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

"Many British Pakistani Christians still have close family ties in Pakistan and are continuously worried about the safety of their loved ones," he continued.

"We hope the Pakistan government will finally take note of the horrifying violence Christians must live with and more importantly take strong action to stop it.

"Those guilty of orchestrating this horrendous crime should be tried and punished. In addition, the government must provide greater security for Christians across Pakistan and reassure them that their way of life is not in danger."

News
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire

In the year AD 203, a young woman named Vibia Perpetua stepped into a Roman arena in Carthage, North Africa. The crowd jeered, wild beasts prowled, and death was certain. Yet she did not hesitate.

Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles
Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles

Nicki Duncalfe said 'yes' to God's call, leaving behind comfort and career to support her husband’s mission flying with MAF, raise her boys cross-culturally, and live out her faith in extraordinary ways.

Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world
Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world

Standing beneath Michelangelo’s towering fresco of the Last Judgement, newly elected Pope Leo XIV delivered his first papal homily in the Sistine Chapel, setting a bold and unmistakable tone for his pontificate. His message: reclaim an authentic vision of Jesus Christ or risk living in a state of “practical atheism”.

China clamps down on foreign missionaries
China clamps down on foreign missionaries

China has imposed sweeping restrictions on Christian practices.