The Last Fast and the Final Step: A Bishop’s Protest Against Draconian Blasphemy Law
Bishop John Joseph observed a fast with complete religious sanctity on the 6th of May 1998, to prepare himself for self-offering, at the late evening hour of that day. This indicates that he prepared himself for self-sacrifice in accordance with theological imperatives.
However, this last and final fast was not the only fast of his life that he observed. Fasting with religious sanctity was a common practice in his life. Especially at every critical time of his struggle, he used to pray and fast and ask others to do it community-wide. Whether it was a protest march against the government decision to introduce the religious column in the National Identity Card, a rally to build up pressure for repeal of the draconian blasphemy law, or a sit-down protest on the roadside for equal rights of the religious minorities, especially Christians, he never forgot to appeal to the community to pray and fast for divine help.
Bishop John Joseph was a theologian and a human rights activist at the same time. His theology and struggle always worked hand in hand. He did not choose one at the cost of the other. In fact, theology was his first love and struggle his first choice. When he practiced and stressed the need for prayer and fasting, it was in accordance with the Word of God. The following references reflect the theology of prayer and fasting that Bishop John Joseph seemed to practice and preach:
“Then Jehoshaphat (King of Judah) feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)
“When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days; and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4)
“Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth upon their heads” (Nehemiah 9:1)
“Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, and gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king'” (Esther 4:15-16)
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
“Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land, to the house of the Lord your God; and cry to your Lord” (Joel 1:14, see also Joel 2:15-16)
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:17-18)
The references explain the situation, necessity, method, and reward of prayer and fasting with complete theological sanction, an essential part of the faith of Bishop John Joseph. However, before he observed the last fast of his life, the countdown of the events from April 27 to May 6, 1998 is, historically, extremely important.
April 27:
Sessions Judge of Sahiwal, Rana Abdul Ghaffar Khan, awarded the death penalty to Ayub Masih under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code in a false case of blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam. The unjustified verdict of the judge shook the bishop and served as a charge to give a decisive turn to his struggle against the draconian blasphemy laws.
April 28:
The bishop began writing a 19-page letter/article under the title “The Challenges of Religious Fundamentalism and Violence to Social Harmony,” addressed to Fr. Michael T. Seigel, SVD (Rome). Fr. Seigel, an official of SEDOS, Rome, had invited the bishop to an international seminar to be held in Rome on 8th May 1998, to be attended by religious superiors from all corners of the world. The bishop, in this letter, gave an indication of his decisive step, symbolically, in the following words:
“Yesterday… Ayub Masih… was condemned to ‘hang by neck till death’ and a fine of rupees 100,000.” (Page 1)
“I shall count myself extremely fortunate, if… Our Lord accepts the sacrifice of my blood for the benefit of His people…” (Page 13)
April 29
The bishop completed a letter/article for Fr. Seigel in Rome and continued his regular office work.
April 30
He signed and faxed the letter/article to Rome for the SEDOS seminar (May 8). He also arranged a prayer program for Ayub Masih on May 6 in Sahiwal, informing Fr. Yaqub Farooq by phone.
May 1
He addressed a May Day gathering in Faisalabad, met Caritas Director Peter Shahzad and Dr. Kamal Chughtai, who noticed he was sometimes deeply thoughtful.
May 2
Met Dr. Kamal again, who said there was no special news. His nephew, MPA Johnson Michael, also visited. The bishop discussed Ayub’s case, stressing protest was useless and “sacrifice” was necessary. He showed Michael an unfinished press letter (his last) and spoke at another big program emphasizing sacrifice.
May 3 (Sunday)
Met Dr. Kamal and Peter Shahzad about routine issues. Received Ann Voglesworth, a foreign human rights activist, to whom he explained rising Sharia adherence among Muslims. She called him courageous.
May 4
Visited the Human Rights Commission office in Lahore, meeting Asma Jahangir, I.A. Rehman, Peter Jacob, and others about blasphemy cases. When Asma remarked that only extraordinary sacrifice could create international pressure for repeal, the bishop firmly said it would be arranged.
On the way back to Faisalabad, Razia Joseph noticed him quiet and thoughtful. Later, he approved a project for Fr. Nadeem John Shakir, personally signing and stamping the papers, then embraced him as if for the last time.
May 5:
The bishop called on telephone Javed Gull, a young man responsible for his printing work, in the morning. Javed Gull reports to have met the bishop promptly. He handed over the final script of his letter, “The Final Step Against 295-C,” to Javed Gull and told him to get it printed immediately. The letter was printed and presented to the bishop before noon that day. He expressed his happiness to see it.
May 6:
The bishop’s final step day had come. He fasted and prayed to prepare himself for the final action. He might have been fasting daily since April 28. Vicar General Fr. Bashir met him in the morning and received instructions as usual. Razia Joseph also met him regarding her tour abroad.
He completely concealed from them what was going on in his heart. Finally, at about 3:00 p.m., he started his journey in his chauffeur-driven car. Patras was on the driving seat. Bishop Javed Albert of Evangelism Pakistan reports that Bishop John Joseph, while on his way to Sahiwal, called him from his mobile telephone at about 3:30 p.m. He says that the bishop told him to be brave if something unusual occurred.
The prayer programme for Ayub Masih began at 6:00 p.m. in the Catholic Church, Sahiwal. It was a united programme of all churches. Prof. Yaqub Din, Dr. Martin, Fr. Yaqub, and Fr. Jamshed also addressed the gathering besides the bishop. His talk was brief but deeply effective.
He spoke on the death and resurrection of Jesus. Later, he went to the sisters’ house where supper was arranged for him. However, he broke his fast by taking a cup of soup only. Fr. Yaqub and Fr. Jamshed had their supper along with the sisters. The bishop, on the insistence of the sisters, ate one apple also. The group chatted for some time. Then he hurriedly offered a “thanksgiving prayer,” shook hands with the hosts, and left quietly at about 9:00 p.m.
At about 9:30 p.m., he reached the Session Court along with Fr. Yaqub and Driver Patras and shot himself dead with his gun there. He sacrificed his life in protest, in pursuance of what he had earlier termed the Final Step Against 295-C.