Pakistan: Love in abundance at Dr Ruth Pfau's state funeral

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The devoted German/Pakistani humanitarian Dr Ruth Pfau was laid to rest in the Christian Cemetery in Karachi on Saturday, 19 August. Ruth was a member of the Order of nuns called The Daughters of the Heart of Mary.

Dr Pfau used to say: "Love will have the last word." Love was indeed in abundance at the state funeral as people laid bare their feelings for the great humanitarian who had been awarded Pakistan's citizenship as well as many national awards. She had touched so many many lives very deeply over her 50 years of devotion and dedication in the endeavor to eradicate leprosy in Pakistan. People traveled long distances to be present at her funeral.

I myself was deeply moved watching the large numbers of people who filed past her body before the Funeral Mass commenced in St Patrick's Cathedral. Muslims, Christians and persons of various walks of life wailed openly as they paid their personal tribute, thanks and farewell to Dr Ruth who has been referred to as: 'The Mother Teresa of Pakistan.' She was a visionary leader with her heart firmly in the right place as she laboured throughout Pakistan and into Afghanistan. She set up 157 leprosy centres throughout Pakistan.

People from all walks of life including the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain attended the funeral.

Owing to her tireless efforts in 1996 the World Health Organization declared Pakistan one of the first countries in Asia to have controlled leprosy.

Fr Daniel is a New Zealander and head of the Columbans in Pakistan. He attended the funeral of Sister Ruth last weekend.

To read more about Sr Ruth and see short interviews with her, visit: www.dawn.com/news/1094184 and https://alchetron.com/Ruth-Pfau-327184-W

See also: www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ruth-pfau-obituary-0gnqt7nt5?shareToken=c7c67e040760597bfa69ee5ffa682954