LAHORE, Pakistan (UCAN) -- Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, president of Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference, says the destruction done to Church buildings by a bomb blast on March 11 has emotionally affected Catholics throughout the country.

The powerful bomb targeting a government building in Lahore, 270 kilometers southeast of Islamabad, killed at least 30 people and injured about 200 more. It also caused serious damage to Sacred Heart Cathedral, three Church schools, other Church buildings including a convent, and catechists' houses.

Almost simultaneously, another blast, in the Model Town area of the city, injured several people and demolished an advertising agency.

Following is the press statement Archbishop Saldanha issued on March 13 on behalf of the Pakistani Catholic bishops:

On March 11, 2008, at 9:27 a.m. a suicide bomber drove a vehicle loaded with explosive material into the eight-storey FIA office situated at Temple Road Lahore and blew himself up. Scores of people belonging to Federal Investigation Agency died in the powerful blast of 40 kg.

No doubt the terrorist attack was aimed at an agency investigating terrorist crimes but on the opposite side of the road many Catholic institutions were hit by the blast. Among them were the Archbishop's office and the big Cathedral. The worst affected was the building of the Caritas Pakistan Lahore. The watchman Perwez Masih was killed and several office staff sustained minor injuries.

Next to it, the domestic staff quarters bore the full force of the blast. A little three-years-old girl died and the sacristan's wife Sharifan Bibi was seriously hit in the spine. The building is a complete wreck and is not safe to live in.

The Archbishop's House, a stately 100 years old structure, was ripped by the powerful blast and nearly all doors and windows were smashed and broken. Glass was strewn all over the floor. Miraculously, the Archbishop, his Vicar General and entire staff were not injured.

The Bookshop of the Daughters of St. Paul with its facade facing Temple Road was badly damaged and huge cracks appeared on the walls. One of the staff members was injured.

The Catholic schools, Sacred Heart Cathedral High School for Boys and Sacred Heart Cathedral High School for Girls with a combined enrolment of more than 1300 students, were shaken and damaged. Many children got cuts and bruises from flying shrapnel. More than 100 children were taken to hospitals for medical treatment. There was panic and confusion among the children who felt traumatized and afraid. It took some time before the parents came and took them home.

To a lesser extant the bomb was felt at the large St. Anthony's High School, the premier school of the Archdiocese situated about half a kilometre away from the place of the bomb explosion. Hence many window panes were smashed and the children were sent home.

Lastly, the stately and imposing Sacred Heart Cathedral, which last year celebrated its Centenary, suffered colossal damage. No less than ten priceless stained glass windows were hit by the blast. These are precious antiques that are irreplaceable. Many of the window panes were blown out. The floor was strewn with glass pieces. It took two days to clear them.

The colossal and widespread destruction done to the Church-owned buildings has emotionally touched the Catholics throughout the country. They express their deep sympathy and regrets. Many of them come in person to express their sympathies. It is heartening to see their response and deep feeling of regrets.

The Bishops of Pakistan, through their president Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, strongly condemn outright all violent methods of protest especially suicide bombing with its heavy toll of life and property. Since the beginning of the year no less than 600 innocent lives have been destroyed. The bishops call upon all segments of warring factious to work out their differences through the newly elected parliament and work in harmony for peace and stability in the country.

+ Lawrence John Saldanha

Archbishop of Lahore &

President of Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference

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