Lahore: 'There are no words' says Archbishop as Christians and Muslims gather to pray

Christian and Muslim leaders have gathered in Lahore to pray for peace after 73 people were killed in a terror attack aimed at Christians on Easter Sunday.

The service was organised by the council for inter-religious freedom in St Mary's Church. The Archbishop of Lahore Sebastian Shaw has visited a number of wounded victims in hospital and conducted at least 20 funerals.

"There are no words," Shaw told Fides news agency. "An authentic tragedy. Hope can only come from God."

He continued: "We need prayers so that we can continue the mission entrusted to us by the Risen Lord Jesus: to restore peace and hope to the wounded and desperate people".

However despite the government pledges of retribution, the pastor of an assemblies of God church in Lahore said the Christian community is still threatened.

"We went out to celebrate Easter. We are a young church, the majority of those coming are families with children and young couples. After the service they usually go to a park near our church so that the children can play. We are very united. It was a tragedy," he told the Spanish media La Información.

"There is no security, our non-Christian neighbours insult us almost daily, and we are scared", he said.

Another pastor, Shakil Anjum of the Children's Chapel, said: "The government has proved it cannot keep people safe so the army should take over security.

"They have strengthened security at our churches but now terrorists are coming to public spaces to kill us."

More than 5,000 suspects were arrested after the bombing on Easter Sunday. Most have been released but 216 remain in custody.

Government officials promised a paramilitary crackdown on terrorism in Punjab after Jamaat-ur-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban-affiliated group have previously claimed loyalty to Islamic State and said the attack was a warning to Pakistan's prime minister.

A statement after the attack read: "The target was Christians. We want to send this message to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that we have entered Lahore."

related articles
Lahore attack: 'The target was Christians' says Taliban

The Taliban faction who killed at least 70 in Lahore on Sunday have said their target was Christians.

Lahore attacks: How should Christians respond?
Lahore attacks: How should Christians respond?

More than 70 people dead. At least 300 injured. Thousands of friends' and families' lives altered for ever. How can we respond?

After Lahore: What\'s driving the persecution of Christians in Pakistan?
After Lahore: What's driving the persecution of Christians in Pakistan?

Pakistan is under a spiritual oppression that can legitimately be described as demonic, writes Mark Woods. There are very few signs of hope.

Pakistan: 5,000 arrested after Lahore bombing as Christians call for protection
Pakistan: 5,000 arrested after Lahore bombing as Christians call for protection

Pakistan has arrested more than 5,000 suspects since the Lahore bombing, a provincial minister said yesterday.

Pakistan promises no change to blasphemy laws in deal with hardline Islamists
Pakistan promises no change to blasphemy laws in deal with hardline Islamists

Pakistan's infamous blasphemy laws will not be changed after a deal between government and hardline Islamists on Wednesday afternoon.

News
Faith in difficult times: lessons from 1930s Britain
Faith in difficult times: lessons from 1930s Britain

Architectural historian Steven Brindle talks to Christian Today about the faith that shaped 1930s Britain, the churches that supported struggling communities and what lessons the decade might have for us today.

Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.