LAHORE, Pakistan (CNS) — A retired archbishop said Pakistani Christians could suffer a backlash after the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, but it also might return balance to the nation.

In India and Philippines, Catholic leaders also warned of backlash.

“We are a soft target as they cannot attack America,” said retired Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, Pakistan. He told the Asian church news agency UCA News that, despite the risk of short-term retaliation against Christians, bin Laden’s killing could return balance to Pakistan’s society. He said he hoped the killing of world’s most-wanted terrorist would reduce the militant radicalism that has engulfed Pakistan in recent years.

In India, Father Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, prayed the al-Qaida leader’s death would not lead to retaliatory attacks.

“The church never endorses violence or associates with violence,” he added. The head of the Bangladeshi bishops’ Christian unity commission also expressed concern about Bin Laden’s death. “No killing is welcomed. A criminal should be brought to trials and be duly prosecuted,” said Bishop Bejoy D’Cruze of Khulna.