The death toll from last month’s suicide bombing (22 Sept) at All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan now stands at 127, with 170 injured, considerably higher than the 85 dead figure circulated just after the bombing by global news media (including Eternity).

Image from Diocese of Peshawar, Pakistan

In an interview this week with Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters of the Diocese of Peshawar, Titus Presler, an established Episcopal church writer on mission, learned that Government officials and federal ministers have visited the site of last week’s blasts to express their concern and condolence.

“It has been just devastating,” the Bishop told Presler.  “Quite a few children are paralyzed, and others are orphaned.  This is a terrible time for the Christian community.”

The Bishop also said another bomb – a car bomb – was detonated in Qissa Khawani bazaar earlier this week, close to All Saints Church as the congregation was again at worship.

“People were in a panic, and there was such a rush,” Bishop Humphrey said, “but after about 25 minutes we were able to get them settled and resume the service.”  The bomb killed 40 people and was reported to have exploded about 300 yards from All Saints’, near a mosque and a police station

“The world reached out wonderfully when Malala Yousafzai was shot,” Bp. Humphrey said, referring to the 15-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot in the head last October by the Taliban for advocating for girls’ education.  “There are many Malalas now after the bombing,” he said.

To read the full piece by Titus Presler, click here.