Shahbaz Bhatti is granted a holy death - entering the Kingdom of Heaven as a martyr for Christ

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minority affairs minister and a Catholic member of that country's cabinet, was shot yesterday by Islamic militants. He had just been to see his mother, and was being driven to a cabinet meeting when gunmen fired at his unprotected car. The assassins, obviously believing that they would be hailed as heroes by their co-religionists, spent several moments calmly handing out anti-Christian and anti-Jewish leaflets at the crime scene.

Aware of the threats that had been made against his life, Shahbaz Bhatti had recently recorded a video, to be shown in the event of his murder, in which he said:

"I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us. I know that what is the meaning of cross, and I'm following of the cross. And I'm ready to die for our cause; I'm living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights."

Bhatti had embraced Jesus as a child, after being touched by the story of Christ's sacrifice for his people. Before entering politics, he had organised Scripture study groups, and remained an active member of the Church throughout his career. Aware of the Gospel message, Shahbaz Bhatti's political life was dedicated to the defence of minority groups in Pakistan - especially those hounded by that country's barbaric blasphemy laws.

It seems that this gentle man of God sought to model his life on Christ in every way. The same compassion for the poor and despised that drove Jesus, also inspired Shahbaz Bhatti. He, too, like Our Lord, was willing to let evil men take his life for the sake of those whom he loved. We can be confident, then, that Shabhaz Bhatti will also rise with Christ, and that his blood will mingle with Our Lord's to bring peace and grace to many in Pakistan.

Needless to say, Western news agencies and governments have been slow to react to Shahbaz Bhatti's murder. As Damian Thompson points out in his Telegraph blog, not many governments, journalists or Western churchmen seem to care about the plight of the world's persecuted Christians. In recent days, ancient Christian monasteries have been destroyed in post-revolutionary Egypt, whilst several Egyptian Muslims accused of killing Christians as they left Mass a few weeks ago where acquitted just before Mubarak's downfall. This constant and horrific targeting of Christians by Islamists is proving to be too embarrassing for our politically correct leaders, who therefore choose not to talk about it.

In its reporting of Bhatti's murder, the BBC's News at Ten seemed keen to claim him as a "liberal", making scant reference to the fact that his compassion and search for justice stemmed from his Christian beliefs. As Damian Thompson pointed out in his post, it's about time our society wakes up to the mass persecution of Christians in the Islamic world. It seems that even our bishops are too timid to speak out on behalf of their brothers and sisters - preferring, instead, to concentrate their efforts on "bridge-building" projects in the Holy Land.

Shahbaz Bhatti's death is a true witness to Christ's Gospel. His death stands in stark contrast to the Islamic expression of martyrdom. His martyrdom witnesses to Christ's love and to his power at work in the meek, the lowly, and the poor - like them, Bhatti put his trust in something greater than human power, he believed in God's grace. Islam seems obsessed with the power-politics of this world and with the application of force. Those who call themselves Islamic martyrs, then, really do seem to witness to their religion's true motives, which often appear to be: hate, anger and warfare. It is only if the Islamic world rises up against its own barbarism that Muhammadanism can honourably claim its self-proclaimed title: "the religion of peace."

God's love for humanity compelled Him, in the person of Jesus Christ, to suffer humiliation, scorn, derision, pain, torture and death. He wanted to share in the sufferings of the oppressed and the poor - by doing so, He proved His great love for us. It was when Christ seemed weak, dumbstruck and dead that he was actually conquering death and setting captives free. Those who die with him, then, co-operate in his work of salvation. For this reason, Shahbaz Bhatti's death will confound his murders. For by killing him, they participated in the Crucifixion of Christ - who is risen and victorious over all things!

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. (Mt 5:1-12)

May the blood of the Martyrs of Pakistan plead more earnestly than Abel's!