Archdiocese of Karachi, 75 years reaching out to the downtrodden
Celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the archdiocese ended with a solemn Eucharistic celebration led by the apostolic nuncio. Archbishop Travas highlighted three challenges: following Jesus, the Synodal journey, and serving the poor and the vulnerable. He also called for greater responsibility for the laity (especially women) in the life of the Church.
Karachi (AsiaNews) – Follow Jesus, walk the Synodal path, and follow the path indicated by Christ that leads to the poor and the vulnerable are the three challenges Archbishop Benny Mario Travas of Karachi, capital of Sindh province (southern Pakistan), launched last Sunday during the closing celebrations for the jubilee marking the 75th anniversary of the local Church.
The event was held at St Patrick's Cathedral, in the presence of numerous faithful, to mark the birth of what once was part of the Archdiocese of Bombay, eventually made a jurisdiction in its own right in May 1948 with the bull Opportunis providentiae of Pope Pius XII.
In anticipation of the celebrations for the great diamond jubilee, a special logo was created that highlighted various cultural features of Sindh province.
During the year, the members of the core committee planned a programme with various liturgical, spiritual, catechetical, and social activities.
The archbishop, together with the clergy, called on the faithful from across greater Karachi to take part in the different initiatives, in particular, on the closing day.
The later began with a solemn concelebration led by Archbishop Germano Penemote, apostolic nuncio to Pakistan, together with all the bishops of the country.
In his message to the faithful, Archbishop Benny Mario Travas emphasised the importance of gathering “here to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the Archdiocese of Karachi.”
In his address, he said: “Our hearts are filled with gratitude and thanksgiving. During the celebration of this jubilee year, we have reflected and celebrated so many events. Now we are coming to the close of celebration we need to know about the way forward from here.”
Indeed, “We have to know how Karachi can be a beacon of light for others, showing Christ to the people of Karachi” while facing “three challenges that we need to take up.”
The first challenge is for young people and families in the archdiocese to follow Jesus.
Karachi has parishes, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, catechist centres, just to name a few of the different organisations linked to the Church. For the prelate, “To run these offices and institutions we need committed and visionary people to invite others to the church.”
In addition, “We need our youth and families in the archdiocese to know what Jesus is telling us today. To all those who love the Archdiocese of Karachi with their hearts and not merely with the lips, follow me.”
“The second challenge we have is walk the Synodal journey,” as Pope Francis outlined on several occasions with bishops and lay people from all over the world, according to the invitation for “all people walking together.”
“Recently I was in Lahore to attend a meeting of Caritas Pakistan, but I saw there were only male participants, there were no women participants. Without the participation of women and youth how can we progress and invite others to the church?” the archbishop said.
“I am convinced that parish means ours, me and my people; we have to tell everybody that you have to look after the parish, and you have to look after the archdiocese of Karachi.”
Finally, the third and final challenge is “to walk the road of Jesus, the road that takes you to the poor and vulnerable people of Karachi.”
“The story of the Dr Ruth Pfau is the real story of walking the way of Jesus. When she stopped to rest in Karachi on her way to India, she saw the lepers in the colony of the city railway station of Karachi. Then she made the decision there and then to walk the road of Jesus in Karachi and served the people of Karachi all her life.”
Finally, “When we see different Catholic institutions of Karachi we witness that all those are walking the road of Jesus. We have to continue on the road of Jesus, so that we can meet our Jesus Christ.”
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