Hattip to Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. Courage and Faith. Abstractions to many, meaningless phrases to some, to others they are a way of life. Shahbaz Bhatti was in the last category. His faith was obvious to all. As a Roman Catholic in overwhelmingly Islamic Pakistan he was tireless in spreading the Truth of Christ, and in standing up for the rights of Christians in Pakistan. Appointed Minister of Defense of Minorities in the Pakistan government, he took on the position, knowing full well that he was signing his death warrant. Death threats against him were constant. As constant was his speaking out for the rights of Christians and other minorities in Pakistan. After leaving his government office each day, he would head over to the offices of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, working late into the night to continue aiding Pakistan’s embattled minorities.
He never married, thinking it unfair to put a wife and children in the cross-hairs in which he lived. On March 2, 2011 he was visiting his mother. After he left his car was sprayed with bullets and he was killed. The murderers of Al Qaeda and the Taliban have claimed responsibility.
Evil men have the power to take the lives of the good on this planet. They have absolutely no power in the next world where I am absolutely certain the latest martyr for the Faith has heard “Well done my good and faithful servant!” and is now enjoying for eternity the Beatific Vision.
It is brave men such as this that make me rethink my agnosticism. Though I retain doubts, I hope that he will have a special place in heaven along with other courageous and dedicated martyrs to the faith.
Well said Joe.
Eternal rest grant unto him!
[…] Shahbaz Bhatti: Martyr For the Faith – Donald R. McClarey, TAC […]
[…] Shahbaz Bhatti: Martyr For the Faith Shahbaz Bhatti: Martyr For the Faith […]
I agree whole heartedly with what you have posted.
“No man has ever measured love,
Or weighed it in his hand.
But God who knows the inmost heart,
Gives them the promised land.”
I bow my head in honour of this courageous and principled martyr of our Christian faith.
Joe Green: I pray that through the example and the intercession of that brave Catholic martyr, Mr. Bhatti, that you will embrace the love and forgiveness and invitation of our Lord Jesus Christ! If Mr. Bhatti’s martyrdom is used by God to bring just one soul–yours!–to Heaven–his death will not be in vain!
May God bless you, Joe Green, and may our most holy and tender Mother Mary enfold you in Her sacred and loving arms!
Thanks, Linda. The Hound of Heaven always pursues me. Some day I hope to take His Hand and walk with Him.
Joe,
The Hound of Heaven continues to pursue me even though I took his hand long ago. He keeps wanting to teach and love me (and you) more and more each day.
Prayers for you and have a good weekend.
“Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
My soul weeps for this just and good man. Oh Pakistan, must you kill those sons who yearned to bring you out of the darkness. How long will you suffered them to be killed. Those who pursue their beliefs through the killing of their brethren will never have peace in their country nor in their lives. How I wish they would spend more time in mediation and the pursue of truth instead of violence. I trust in the Lord’s ability to bring good of this evil. Rest in peace my brother.
[…] The martyrs have always been the human bedrock for Catholicism, from Saint Stephen, the first of the ever glorious martyrs, to our own day with the recent martyrdom of the brave Shahbaz Bhatti. […]