Shahbaz Bhatti, aged 42, was the only Catholic in the Parliament of Pakistan.

He was shot to death on March 2. Buried on March 4.

Witnesses describe him being pulled from his car by masked men who shot bullets into his body constantly for about two minutes — then drove off in a white car.

A branch of the Taliban called Tehrik-i-Taliban Punjab, claims to have organised the killing.

“This man was a known blasphemer of the Prophet,” group’s spokesman, Ahsanullah Ahsan, told the BBC. “We will continue to target all those who speak against the law which punishes those who insult the Prophet. Their fate will be the same.”

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Bhatti had been receiving death threats because he opposed Pakistan’s “blasphemy law”.

On a video prior to his assassination, he said, “I want to share that I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us. I know what is the meaning of the cross.”

He also said, “As a Christian, I believe Jesus is my strength. He has given me a power and wisdom and motivation to serve suffering humanity. I follow the principles of my conscience, and I am ready to die and sacrifice my life for the principles I believe.”

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He could see it coming . . . .

Two months earlier, Punjab Governor, Salman Taseer, had been shot dead. The man who shot him is widely regarded as a hero all around Pakistan.

Taseer’s assassination followed his supporting a motion by female MP, Sherry Rehman, to remove the death penalty from the blasphemy law.

Rehman hasn’t been killed yet, but says she receives death threats by email at the rate of about one every half hour.

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Perhaps we, in Western nations, don’t understand the nature of the cross of Christ like Pakistani Catholics do.

Our turn may come.

The Greens Party’s stranglehold on Australia will tighten as from July, when they take over control of the Senate.

Persecution of Christians will then start becoming more intense.