Dignified Response to Oppression

A church to a Christian is simply "wherever two or more of you are gathered in my name." Recent burnings of two Christian churches and a school by enraged Muslim mobs in Pakistan doesn't change that fact:

"SANGLA HILL, Pakistan(AFP) - Hundreds of Christians
have worshipped in the open air after a Muslim mob in eastern Pakistan burnt down churches over allegations that a Christian had desecrated the Koran.

The crowd, including women wearing black armbands
to protest Saturday's attacks, also demanded protection for the minority community in the small town of Sangla Hill.

"They held their Sunday mass and dispersed
peacefully," police officer Mohammad Asghar told AFP. A police contingent cordoned off the area near a gutted church in Sangla Hill, 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Lahore, capital of Punjab province.

The crowd dispersed after Catholic Archbishop
Lawrence Saldanaha advised them not to retaliate.
"The situation is under complete control now," home secretary of the Punjab provincial government, Khusro Pervez, told AFP.

"Police have arrested around 90 people for rioting
and violence and vandalising Christian property," he said.

Yousaf Masih, a Christian accused of desecrating
the Muslim holy book, has been detained, he added.

Witnesses said at least two churches were
destroyed in the attack by more than 1,000 enraged Muslims. The mob then ransacked a Christian school, set its furniture on fire and attacked a hostel where a pastor lives."