(ACNS) The Rt Revd John Joseph, the RC Bishop of Faisalabad, shot himself on Thursday 7th May in the court building where Ayub Massih, a Christian, was condemned to death last month for allegedly praising Salman Rushdie, author of a book which is considered blasphemous by many Muslims.

The bishop was a long-standing and vociferous opponent of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, passed by the former leader General Zia and which stipulate the death sentence for those defiling he name of the Prophet Muhammad. Human rights groups say the law is vaguely worded and so is liable to be used to intimidate the country's non-Muslim minority.

Following the bishop's death there were widespread clashes after 2,000 mourners formed a procession to take the coffin to the Cathedral in Faisalabad.

On Friday the US Government repeated its call for the Pakistan Government to drop the case against Ayub Massih and repeal the laws. Ayub Massih is in jail pending an appeal.