The Unveiled Portrait of Resilience: The Legacy of Bishop John Joseph

 By: Dr. Anee Muskan 

Within the pages of chronicles of the history of minorities in Pakistan, an exceptionally extraordinary chapter has been written with the ink of blood titled “Don’t be afraid to speak – Bishop John Joseph”. These profound four words etched the very sketch of Bishop John Joseph’s disposition.
The sketch of a leader with the perfect blend of deep spiritual commitment and fervent advocacy makes him a symbol of resistance and hope for many.

John Joseph was born on March 15, 1932, in Khushpur, a village renowned for its substantial
Christian population within the heart of Punjab, Pakistan. He was ordained as a priest in 1960 and over the years, emerged as a poignant figure in the Catholic Church in Pakistan.

Ascending to the position of Bishop of Faisalabad in 1984, his tenure was marked by a robust advocacy for religious
minorities, particularly Christians facing persecution under Pakistan's contentious blasphemy laws.

Bishop Joseph’s profound academic pursuit led him to earn a doctorate in canon law from the
Pontifical Urban University in Rome, further equipping him with the tools to fight legal and social injustices more effectively. His leadership extended beyond the pulpit and into the realms of social activism, where he frequently collaborated with other religious and secular leaders to promote interfaith harmony and social justice.

The uncanny canvas of history of minorities in Pakistan has been painted with shades of unyielding resilience, with the vague highlights borrowed from the ashes of sacrifice and tinted hues of vividly invisible shades of struggle. However, many people find this portrait of resilience intimidating and somehow it has never been unveiled as a part of the history of Pakistan. Over time, this rare portrait airbrushed with lucidly bright shades of struggle disappeared from the display.

This painting portrays the unwavering determination of minority members of the Pakistani constituent assembly in 1949, who dared to raise their voices against the Objectives Resolution.

Despite the high likelihood of rejection, these minority members expressed their opinions. This very incident from the chronicles of resilience exhibited by the minorities of Pakistan laid the foundation of resilience that ran in future generations.

This very seed sown during the days of the emergence of Pakistan sprouted with sturdy roots and bore a remarkable harvest. The significant essence of this harvest was “Bishop John Joseph”. A name that itself resonates with the symphony of resilience, courage, valour, struggle, and sacrifice. Bishop John Joseph turned into a symbol of protest against
injustice through his sacrifice. Bishop John Joseph, born and raised in Faisalabad, served there as auxiliary Bishop of Faisalabad as well.

Rather than being intimidated and oppressed by injustice, Bishop John Joseph catalysed the idea of raising their voice. He stimulated the concept of peaceful protests and direct diplomacy. Bishop John Joseph was a leader who was blessed with the ability to vehemently condemn what was wrong and unjust. He knew perfectly how to fly in the face of inequity and discrimination. Bishop John Joseph with his fervent and diverse approach to dealing with legal and social breaches left behind a legacy.

The very last case that he advocated for was the case of Ayub Masih in 1998, who was accused of
committing blasphemy and violating section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Bishop John Joseph proclaimed the innocence of Ayub Masih until the court gave the verdict of execution of Ayub.

Ayub Masih was falsely accused and Bishop John Joseph presented a clear mandate of this case in every possible way to ensure the provision of justice and security to the oppressed victim.
However, the verdict for the Ayub Masih case, reached between 1996-1998, was execution. On 6 May, 1998 Bishop John Joseph, went to the Sahiwal court building, where the sentence had been passed and shot himself in protest in the compound of the Sahiwal courthouse.

The 66-year-old Bishop had
campaigned against the practice of blasphemy laws and their misuse for a long time. Shortly before his death, he sent a letter to the Dawn newspaper which highlighted that Christians and Muslims should act together to get Ayub Masih’s death sentence lifted and to get the blasphemy laws repealed. The letter ended by him saying that “dedicated persons do not count the cost of the sacrifices they have to offer”.

His Last words echoed in the compound of the courthouse as the symphony of peace and triumph. “I shall count myself extremely fortunate if in this mission of breaking the barriers, our Lord accepts the sacrifice of my blood for the benefit of his people” with these last words he left earth with a remarkable void. The very essence behind sacrifice by Bishop John Joseph was the protest to repel not just the judgment but also the law that merely serves the purpose of persecuting minorities.

Perhaps the symphony played by the last words of Bishop John Joseph still reverberates in the hearts of millions. However, the indigenous protest registered through the sacrifice of Bishop John Joseph remains challenged today with at least 1885 cases of violation of section 295c of the Pakistan Penal code.

The very verdict that paved the way for Bishop John Joseph’s death was acquitted by the court
in 2002. The notion of suicidal death is not an appreciated one, especially in the sects of Catholics.

The fact that Bishop John Joseph still willingly embraced suicide to help the Christian community shows his dedication. The current ratio of blasphemy cases is merely an indicator that our society lacks a leader like Bishop John Joseph. The stream of blood that rippled within the mud of Sahiwal courthouse for the sake of justice 26 years ago still mourns for the persecuted members of the minority community of Pakistan.