By Ms. Emilia Flocchini
Bologna, Italy, - Pope Francis often says that 'ecumenism of blood unites us'. It's deeply true in our times of growing persecution of all Christian denominations around the globe. In the already famous Andrea Tornieli's interview Francis shared: "Yes, for me ecumenism is a priority. Today there is an ecumenism of blood. In some countries they kill Christians for wearing a cross or having a Bible and before they kill them they do not ask them whether they are Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic or Orthodox. Their blood is mixed. To those who kill we are Christians. We are united in blood, even though we have not yet managed to take necessary steps towards unity between us and perhaps the time has not yet come. Unity is a gift that we need to ask for."
In the recently published article in the monthly publication of the Sacred Heart Shrine in Bologna, Italy (2016 - January, p. 16-17) Ms. Emilia Flocchini last year martyrs story from Lahore, Pakistan.
'In Youhanabad suburb of Lahore on the same Sunday, March 15, 2015 were killed Catholics and Protestants, side by side, just 500 meters distance between the two Churches:
In the Catholic Parish Church of St. John were killed 16 and wounded 74 faithful, while in front of the Church offered his life as 'door-guard' our Don Bosco Past Pupil, 19 years old Akash Bashir for the safety of the 600 Catholic celebrating the Mass inside.
In the Protestant 'Christ Church' another 'door-guard' tried to block the terrorist. His name was Obaid Sardar (32 years old) and he was killed together with his pregnant wife Amreen.
In past few years we can read too often about the precarious conditions of the Christians in different countries of Africa, Middle East and Asia. This story of Akash and Obaid is a symbol of our times, both gave their life in their ordinary service to the Christian community. They spent whole Sunday, from the early morning (5 AM) in order to prevent the attacks of their Churches. Akash Bashir did study two years carpentry course in the nearby Don Bosco Technical School, and since December 2014 enrolled himself in the Parish Church guard team. His sister does witness: 'He was always a gentle heart, very talkative. He was telling me: 'I would like to protect the people and accomplish something great...'. Probably his choice did mature during those two years as boarding student in that school.
Two days after the tragedy was held the funeral of Akash together with that of protestant community for Obaid Sardar Khokhar and his wife. The celebration became ecumenical, was presided by the Catholic archbishop of Lahore, Sebastian Shaw joint by a fellow Protestant bishop. In this way the words of Pope Francis became again reality and strong ecumenical witness: we are united in blood.
Don't forget during these days of prayer for the Unity of Christian the hard reality of our times, experienced by thousands of our fellow Christian brothers and sisters around the world!
