Bishop Buried in Pakistan; Muslims Attack a Village

A bishop who killed himself in protest of Pakistan’s blasphemy law was buried Sunday in a ceremony attended by thousands while militant Muslims attacked a Christian village to demand that the law remain.

Bishop John Joseph was laid to rest on the grounds of his Faisalabad cathedral as thousands of grieving Christians packed every approach to the building, demanding the repeal of the blasphemy legislation.

During the service, 400 to 500 militant Muslims attacked a nearby village called Christian Town and burned several shops and houses, clamoring for the law, under which offenders can be executed, to remain on the statute books, witnesses said.

Young Christian women took refuge in nearby houses until security forces arrived, residents said. Police fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse Christians who attacked them after returning to find their buildings ransacked, the witnesses said.