Christian woman faces death penalty in Pakistan

Fr Z has weighed in on the issue of 45 year old Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who faces the death penalty in Pakistan because, when challenged by Muslim co-workers, to convert to Islam, Bibi responded that she was a member of the true faith, Christianity.
The mother of five, has already been found guilty and convicted under Pakistan's blasphemy laws which are, of course, totally biased in favour of Islamic teaching. Her family has been tortured by Muslim mobs and she was badly beaten up before being taken into custody.

45 year old Asia Bibi

International efforts are taking place to have the sentence rescinded and, on behalf of the Vatican, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Council for Inter-religious dialogue has travelled to Pakistan to meet with ministers and to express the Holy Father's plea for clemency.
Since the blasphemy laws came into being over 1,000 cases have been heard with over fifty per cent of them involving charges against Muslims.  Archbishop Lawrence John Saldhana of Lahore claims, however, that there is a major difference between the way that Christians charged under the law, are treated as opposed to Muslims. He stated that:
"When a Christian is accused of blasphemy then his or her family and the entire Christian comunity often pay the consequences". He went on to say that when a Muslim is found guilty they pay as an individual and no other party is harmed.
The Pakistani Government is now faced with the decision of releasing Asia Bibi and accepting enormous civil unrest and rioting or, to proceed with the sentence and be blacklisted by the Western world.
Pray for her and her family that she will be released soon and all convictions quashed.

STOP PRESS: Online appeals can be made to the President of Pakistan here.