Methodists: Bhutto killing a 'desperate blow' to democracy in Pakistan

The Methodist Church has added its voice to those paying tribute to the late Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in Pakistan on Thursday.

Christine Elliot, World Church Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, said that it was a "very sad day... for the people of Pakistan", adding that the assassination of Bhutto was a "desperate blow" for the hope of a new democratic government in Pakistan.

Elections are currently planned to take place in Pakistan on 8 January 2008. Currently, there are no plans to change the election date as a result of the assassination.

Elliot spoke of the effect that the assassination could have in the country.

"The situation in the country over the next hours and days will be very precarious, particularly in the Sindh province," she warned.

"Our partners in Pakistan are concerned that civil war may erupt and that military rule will be re-imposed further - there is a desperate feeling that it will be really difficult to recover from this tragedy.

"We have been asked to pray with and for the people of Pakistan, for peace and stability, and hope that others will join us in this task."

The Rev Jonathan Kerry, the Methodist Church's Coordinating Secretary for Worship and Learning, has written a prayer for Pakistan which reads as follows:

With her people we pray for peace in Pakistan.
With her people we mourn the dead.
With her people we long for stability.

When violence and terror confront us: Turn our outrage into action for justice and peace;
Turn our horror into deeds of practical compassion;
And turn our lust for revenge into a determination to work for a world in which all are equally valued.

Remove every violent prompting from people's hearts

And let it begin right here and now.