Individual Highlights

• Christians condemn blasphemous cartoon 1 • Extremists attacked on Pannell School

Bannu 2

• Pannell Hospital Bannu 2

• Pakistan Sunday Schools Ministry 3

• Youth prayer & meditation 3 • St. Paul’s Day Celebration 4 • Women Empowerment 5

Christians Condemn Blasphemous Cartoons

THE FRONTIER NEWS January : 2015

Diocese of Peshawar – Church of Pakistan

January, Sunday 31, 2015: Various Christian political leaders, elders, and religious leaders from different denominations under the leadership of the Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters condemned publication of blasphemous cartoons by the French Media. This procession and protest rally was widely covered by the print and electronic media, thus protected by a large number of Police Force. Earlier, after the Sunday prayers congregation and leaders from all the Christian denominations formed a mile long procession which marched through famous streets of Peshawar. They were chanting slogans, and holding placards against the Publishers, and the WesternMedia. Eventually, the procession reached Peshawar Press Club, and recorded its protest.

Later, in a press conference the Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters said that thewhole Christian community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA stronglycondemns publication of the blasphemous cartoons against Islam. The “ Free Media, or freedom of speech and expression does

not mean that one should take the liberty to hurt feelings of the followers of other religions. Even United Nations charter does not allow this”. He said. “ we are here to let the French government know that publication of any kind of blasphemous material in the garb of Free Media, will not be tolerated. “ Irresponsible freedom of expression causes hatred and creates misunderstanding between civilizations”. He added.

He further said that Pakistani Christians respect all other religions of the world, andbelieve in religious harmony and co-existence of various religions. Therefore, the French government is advised to re-visit its law and Constitution in this regard.

This news of the protest under the leadership of a Bishop ( Bishop Humphrey Peters) become Breaking News of the day, picked and shown by all the Television News channels throughout Pakistan.

Protest rally in images

Bishop Humphrey leading the protest rally against blasphemous cartoons

Extremists’ attack on Pennell School, Bannu

February 2015, Bannu: During a rally against blasphemous cartoons some extremists’ participants got agitated and attacked the Pannell High School, Bannu. The infuriated crowd jumped over the boundary walls and started breaking windows, doors, furniture, and whatever they could see or grab, including hitting and torturing the students. Majority has not forgotten therecent brutal massacre at the Army Public School, Peshawar, therefore the students, including the staff got terrified and thought it might be an attack of the similar sort. Many students are still under the trauma and decline to come to school. The moment the Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters heard about this incident, he straight away went to Bannu School and himself witnessed all the destruction and terror spread by the extremist. He consoled the staff and pupils, and immediately called a Press Conference. Bishop Humphrey Peters in his press conference highlycondemned the incident and held the local government responsible

for not protecting the minorities and their institutions. He said that although the Advisor to the Chief Minister Mr. Shah Mohammad Khan was in Bannu, but he did not bother to pay us a visit. He reminded that at the time of suicide bomb blasts at All Saints’ Church in 2013, the Tehreek-e-Insaf’s government promised to pay 10 billion PKR, for widows orphans and disabled, but havefailed to fulfill their promise. The Bishop also reminded the government that they hadpromised 5% Quota for minorities , regarding jobs, and seats in the collages, but it proved to be only a lip service. He also said that the local government failed to protect our Institution during the protest rally, and the police force was seen helpless. The Bishop added that the Christian community is very sad and upset over this incident, and he hopes that the government will improve its way of governance, and its attitude towards vulnerable minorities.

Page 2 January 2015 ● Volume VIII, Issue I ● The Frontier News

Pannell Hospital, Bannu

Workshop in progress

Pannell Hospital, Bannu is the oldest hospital of the area. Recently, the Hospital’s Administration bought new equipment, including new Ultrasound machinery, Four Cardiac Monitors for Operation Theater, ICU Labor room and for a ward, to update and upgradethe hospital’s services.

In January, 2015 Mr. Joyson John , Business Manager organized a Training Workshop, of the hospital attended by 72 employees of the hospital. A part from lectures, participants and the administration jointly did a SWOT analysis of the services and came up with interesting but very relevant pointers to improve the service delivery system.

Staff of the hospital informed the Frontier News correspondent that this course was very helpful to uplift not only the hospital, but it did lift up their sprits as well.

Participants conducting SWOT analysis

Pakistan Sunday Schools Ministry Youth’s Prayer &

Meditation Programme

Page 3 January 2015 ● Volume VIII, Issue I ● The Frontier News

Bishop Humphrey at the opening ceremony Pakistan Sunday Schools Ministry’s Area Coordinator, Islamabad , Mr. David and Mr. Naveed Bashir, Regional Director, Peshawar organized a one day training course for their Ministry Partners. Priests and leaders from all Christian denominations were among the participants. The Sunday School Ministry once in a year distributes Shoe Boxes for children through its Ministry Partners. This specific training course was to orient its partners about Importance and Distribution of the Shoe Boxes. The organizers during the training course stressed upon honest distribution and informed the participants that the Shoe

Training session in progress Boxes cannot be sold or opened, nor this gift for the children should be used for any other purpose.

The Chief guest, the Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters in his speech encouraged and appreciated efforts of the Sunday School Ministry and said that our future depends on right grooming of our children.

At this occasion, the Sunday School Ministry also launched a Religious MSusic CD, Volume -4 for Children.

It is pertinent to mention that songs writer of this CD happens to be the Bishop’s Chaplain, Revd. Yousaf T.M Azam.

Youth in meditation

The Diocesan Youth Desk organized a 'Prayer & Meditation Programme' for the youth leaders. The purpose of this programme was to provide the youth leaders an environment where they could re-confirm and re-affirm their commitment to serve the Lord and His people. The Youth also spent some time in prayer & meditation to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. At this occasion, a Bible study session was also led by Mr. David from Australia. The Bible study provided guidelines to the youngsters on how to live an effective Christian life. The Diocesan Youth Officer, Mr. Insar Gohar led two motivational sessions on 'Christian Ministry'. He quoted versesfrom the Holy Bible to encourage and motivate the youth and its leaders to commit themselves to serve the Lord. Feedback of the programme was very positive, as the youth leaders found it very effective for their spiritual growth and re-affirmation of their faith.

Saints Paul’s Day Celebrations

25 January: The St. Paul's Conversion Day was celebrated by all Parishes of the Diocese, various programmes and activities were organized to highlight the event and St. Paul’s Ministry. Mission & Ministry Sector of the Diocese also organized special programmes to mark the Day.

The Women and the Junior Church Desk jointly organized various activities by involving women and children to highlightthe Teachings and Ministry of St. Paul through skits, and special songs.

The Diocesan Youth Desk prepared and presented a map of St. Paul's journeys with different colors and highlighting places, he visited, and the Churches he formed.

The audiences/congregation enjoyed the show and took keen interest in missionary journeys of St. Paul. The youth also organized a Quiz Show regarding Life and his Ministry.

The Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters, Bishop of Peshawar witnessed all the programmes and encouraged the Women, Children and the Youth.

The Evangelism Desk also organized a programme at the All Saints' Church, Peshawar. Special articles, papers were presented and speeches were delivered about Life, Personality, Conversion and Ministry of St. Paul.

The Diocesan Secretary, Revd. Patrick Naeem and Evangelism Coordinator, Rev. Fayyaz Channa motivated the actors and

participants to serve the Lord and His people by following St. Paul as a role model.

Page 4 January 2015 ● Volume VIII, Issue I ● The Frontier News

Page 6 December 2014 ● Volume VII, Issue Xi● The Frontier News

The Bishop’s E-mail: Contact Us at:

Bishopdop@hotmail.com commdeskdop@gmail.com

The Diocesan Centre E.Mail Visit Us at:

Peshawar.Diocese@outlook.com www.peshawardiocese.org

The Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters was the chief guest at the occasion of the opening ceremony of Women Empowerment Project, Medical Training, held at the Diocesan Centre, Peshawar. The Bishop thanked God for His blessings and said that I am happy to observe that the women have joined hands with the male population for development for their family, community and the country. He also blessed all the 32 female participants of the course, 16 of whom will be trained at Pannell Memorial Hospital, Bannu, whereas, rest of the trainees will be trained in Peshawar, Mardan and D.I.Khan. “The Development & Relief sector of the Diocese keeps on initiating and designing projects for the uplift of Christian community, and occasionally the Muslim majority as well”, said Mr. Rab Nawaz, Senior Programme Officer at the opening ceremony. “I hope the trainees/participants will put their

heart in to it, learn skills and

competencies to serve the community,

become financially independent, thus

serve the Lord our God”. He added.

Revd. Altaf Gohar, Secretary,

Development & Relief in his speech

said that it is a great pleasure to run a

Professional Medical

Programme/training course for the

women. In the past we have only been

able to run a few beautician courses

for the women, but this is rather big,

as it is of much higher professional

standards as well, which will uplift the

status of women in our society.

At this occasion, Revd. Gohar also

acknowledged kind support and

cooperation of the Church of

Scotland.

Trainees of the Medical Course

Women Empowerment Programme, Medical Trainings

Bishop Humphrey speaking at the occasion of opening ceremony Revd. Altaf Gohar ( c) with staff of the training institue

Page 5 January 2015 ● Volume VIII, Issue I ● The Frontier News