Pakistan: Over 80 churches and schools threatened with closure by new security regulations

At least 80 Catholic churches, schools and institutions in Pakistan face closure soon, if they do not comply with rigorous security measures ordered by the government.

In the wake of the suicide bombs in 15 March at St Johns Catholic Church and Christ Church Anglican church in Lahore which killed 17 people and left more than 70 injured, the government if Pakistan has ordered at Christian churches, schools and institutions to protect themselves from further attacks by installing equipment ouch as body scanners, speed bumps and razor wire.

They must also form and train emergency response teams to cope in the event of any further attacks.

A source in the country said: "I can feel the sense of panic and helplessness in me as I type. We are going to be attacked again, there in no doubt. All we can do is try to prepare so the damage will be minimal and we are ready to respond."

Many parishes are serving desperately poor communities and will not be able to raise money for the security measures.

Special Projects in Christian Missionary Areas (SPICMA) are raising funds to help keep Catholic schools and churches open.

To make a donation to their work please see: www.spicma.org/ways-of-donating/

They say: "Please keep the priests and people living through such dangerous times, in your prayers."

Read more about SPICMA here: www.spicma.org/