Bishop Mourned by Hundreds
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FAISALABAD, Pakistan — Hundreds mourning a bishop who killed himself in protest of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws packed Faisalabad’s cathedral on Saturday and demanded the release of another man arrested under those laws.
An uneasy calm prevailed ahead of today’s funeral of Roman Catholic Bishop John Joseph, who shot himself Wednesday to protest a death sentence for Ayub Masih, who was convicted of defaming the prophet Muhammad.
Distraught members of Pakistan’s tiny Christian minority filed past Joseph’s coffin to pay their last respects and called for the release of a man accused of breaking a board bearing a Koranic verse during unrest over Joseph’s death.
Ranjah Masih (no relation) was arrested Saturday after a Muslim complained to police that he had damaged the board, Deputy Police Commissioner Abid Saeed said.
Police believe that up to 10,000 Christians could attend today’s funeral. Police cordoned off the area outside the cathedral, and only Christians were allowed in the area.
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