Pope calls on Pakistan to scrap blasphemy law

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called on Pakistan to scrap a controversial law against blasphemy in a strongly-worded defence of the rights of Christians living in majority Muslim countries. "I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law," the leader of the world's one billion Catholics said in a traditional New Year's address to ambassadors to the Vatican.
"The tragic murder of the governor of Punjab shows the urgent need to make progress in this direction," he said, adding that the law against blasphemy was an example of "norms prejudicing the right to religious freedom." Controversy over the legislation flared both within Pakistan and internationally after a Christian mother-of-five, Asia Bibi, was sentenced to hang last year for making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).
The pope has called for Bibi, who is awaiting execution, to be released. In his address the pope also condemned anti-Christian attacks in Egypt and Iraq, saying they showed "the urgent need for governments of the region to adopt... effective measures for the protection of religious minorities."
Addressing himself to political and religious leaders in Iraq, the pope said that Christians should "be able to live in security, continuing to contribute to the society in which they are fully members." The pope also said the Catholic Church should be able to operate freely through "suitable pastoral structures" in the Arabian Peninsula.
Benedict quoted a statement from a recent Vatican meeting of bishops from the Middle East saying that Christians were "original and authentic citizens" of the region who were loyal to the countries in which they lived. He said that religious freedom should not be only about freedom of worship but also about encouraging wider respect of human rights in the region and educating children "to respect their brothers and sisters in humanity."
"Peace is built and preserved only when human beings can freely seek and serve God in their hearts, in their lives and in their relationship with others," he said. Referring to China, he said Catholics there were experiencing "a time of difficulty and trial" and should be given full autonomy to organise themselves.
Tensions between the Vatican and China have risen in recent months because of the Holy See's insistence that it be given the authority to appoint bishops. The pope said Christian values were also under threat in Western countries because of mandatory sex and civic education in schools and limits on the "right to conscientious objection" by doctors to carry out abortions.