Dear Sirs: We read with great interest Dr. Bhatti’s article that PCC has requested a Punjabi Bishop for the 99.9% Punjabi Christians living in Pakistan. Before going further, this letter is addressed to Dr. Bhatti and his supporters. We refuse to paint all Punjabi brothers and sisters IN CHRIST with the same brush because we do know that majority of Christians will not forget the support, leadership, love and faithfulness of good, God fearing non-Punjabi Catholic Bishops & Priests in Pakistan. From when did Christians want to be known by ethnicity rather than they being Christians first. How is it that Goan and Anglo Indian Catholic Bishops are become such a thorn in the sides of Punjabi Christians. While Dr. Bhatti gives in detail that “Goan’ Christians are enjoying life in North America, he perhaps is forgetting to mention how many Punjabi Christians are also in North America. Mind you, not under the allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church but small groups forming several Churches under the ‘Pakistani’ umbrella here in Ontario. There is barely unity and accountability among them - each with an agenda of their own. Again, remember not in unity as Christians but first as Pakistanis. How is it that the kindness shown by Non-Punjabi Clergy is overlooked, who for decades have provided education, social assistance, personal and spiritual growth and opportunities to grow in the parishes and communities. Is it okay to enjoy the help and support & sacrifice of the Goan & Anglo Indian Bishops & Clergy and then when you no longer feel their need, choose to discard them, brush them off as though they are not anointed Priests & Bishops and that somehow if they are ‘Punjabi’, only then it will fit the bill. WHY? Is the sacrifice of so many ‘foreign’ Priests, Nuns & Brothers in Pakistan forgotten? Is their amazing missionary work considered ‘less’ because they are not Punjabi? Being Catholic Christian ourselves – we treasure our Christian faith. Being here in Canada and having Priests & Bishops (not Pakistani) as leaders has enriched us so much. We know Our Lord Jesus Christ is with our family on our faith journey. When you are Catholic – you are under ONE Magesterium. The blessing and grace in the Catholic Church is that a Priest can be from any country, any race, he can administer Sacraments. You bring Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Church to all. You don’t have to be of a certain race in order to do so. Our Catholic Bishops & Priests are there to help and serve everyone – Punjabi & Non-Punjabi alike. And what is the Punjabi Christian cause – is it an exclusive club which will favour ‘only’ Punjabis? Have you lost your sense of what it is to have a Bishop lead you as Christians or is your being Punjabi more important than being Christian? In his homily on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25, 2009) the Holy Father reflected upon the conversion of St. Paul, saying “it presents us with a model of, and shows us the way to, full unity” which, “indeed, calls for conversion: from division to communion, from a lacerated unity, to a restored and complete unity”. What remains before us is the horizon of complete unity”. The Holy Father concluded -“This is a demanding but stimulating task for Christians who wish to live in harmony with the prayer of the Lord: ‘that they may all be one, that the world may believe’”. We sincerely hope you (and others) succeed in getting an appointment with the Holy Father Pope Benedict. Before the meeting, bring out your Bible and also leaf through the Catechism – perhaps you may learn an important lesson about being Christian first and consider being Punjabi as least important. You will also learn that there is accountability and unity in the Catholic Church – Catholic which means universal. You choose what you want to do. You decide if you are reflecting love & unity as Christians or causing more strife? You will have a problem if you want to be in one exclusive ‘click’ because you defy and deny what being Catholic Christian is all about. We will keep this important intention in prayer. Mr. & Mrs. Sidney & Eudora Benjamin Canada