Cardinal: Saint Shahbaz?

From The British Pakistani Christian Association:

Cardinal: Saint Shahbaz? Posted: 04 Mar 2012 11:42 AM PST   “Ibelieve the Church should very seriously examine the question of whetherShahbaz Bhatti might be declared a saint.” By John Newton SCOTLAND’S most senior Catholic bishop has calledfor the Church to consider declaring Shahbaz Bhatti a saint. In a statement issued today, 2nd March – the firstanniversary of Mr Bhatti’s death – Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Archbishopof Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, expressed his hope that the Church will lookinto the option of canonising Mr Bhatti. Appointed federal minister for minorities, a Cabinet position inPakistan’s government, Shahbaz Bhatti took up the cause of religious freedom,speaking out against persecution and in so doing knowingly put his life indanger.   Noting that the canonisationprocess normally begins five years after the candidate’s death, CardinalO’Brien said: “When that time comes I believe the Church should very seriouslyexamine the question of whether Shahbaz Bhatti might be declared a saint.” The cardinal went on to say: “It would be wonderful to think that…Shahbaz Bhatti could become a patron for Justice and Peace in Pakistan or indeed Asia .” He added his hope that Latin America’s Archbishop Oscar Romero mightone day become one of the patron saints of Central and South America as well. Cardinal O’Brien’s call to examine Mr Bhatti’s worthiness forsainthood was made in a statement to Catholic charity Aid to the Church inNeed, which is one of the organisers behind an event in central London honouring thePakistani politician. The peace rally and concert next Saturday (10th March), ledby the British Pakistani Christian Association, commemorates the anniversary ofMr Bhatti’s death and calls for changes to Pakistan ’s blasphemy laws and theway they are enforced. The blasphemy laws impose sentences including execution and lifeimprisonment for offences against Islam – and Mr Bhatti was murdered forspeaking out after Asia Bibi became the first woman to be sentenced to deathunder these laws. In his call to look into the possibility of the Catholic politicianbeing canonised, Cardinal O’Brien described him as a man who had lived and diedfor his Christian faith. He said: “From what we know of his life and work Shahbaz Bhattiappears to have been a true man of God, who led a life of heroic virtue.” “His final interview reveals that he foresaw that he might die forwhat he believed in and was not afraid to join his Lord on the cross. “His commitment to Christ suggests that here is an individual whoselife and faith is worthy of examination [to see if he might be declared asaint] and it may be that in the fullness of time Shahbaz Bhatti is raised tothe dignity of the altars.” The peace rally and concert, organised by the British Pakistani Christian Association with Aid to the Church in Need and others, starts at 11am with a gathering outside the Pakistan High Commission, Lowndes Square, London. Following the submission of a petition to 10 Downing Street (at 2pm) there will be a concert in Trafalgar Square starting at 3pm.