75 years of meeting with the last

The celebrations for the 75th anniversary concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by the apostolic nuncio. Monsignor Travas pointed out three tasks: following Jesus, the synodal path and service to the poor and vulnerable. He also invited the laity (particularly women) to assume greater responsibility in the life of the Church.

Karachi () – Follow Jesus, travel the synodal path and adopt the path indicated by Christ that leads to the poor and vulnerable. These are the three challenges proposed on November 17 by Bishop Benny Mario Travas, archbishop of Karachi, capital of the province of Sindh, in southern Pakistan, on the occasion of the closing celebrations of the Jubilee for the 75 years of this Church local. The celebration took place in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in the presence of numerous faithful. It was recalled that this diocese was previously part of the archdiocese of Mumbai (then Bombay, India), and then became independent in May 1948 with the bull Opportunist providentiae of Pope Pius XII.

For the celebrations of the Great Diamond Jubilee, a special logo has been created that enhances the cultural elements of the province of Sindh. During the year, the members of the Central Commission planned various events at the liturgical, spiritual, catechetical and social levels. The archbishop, together with the clergy, invited the faithful from all over the Karachi metropolis to participate in the various initiatives and especially in the closing day that began with the mass. The solemn concelebration was presided over by Bishop Germano Penemote, apostolic nuncio in Pakistan, together with all the country’s bishops.

In his message to the faithful, Bishop Benny Mario Travas highlighted the importance of being “gathered here to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Archdiocese of Karachi. Our hearts – he continued – are full of gratitude. During the celebration of this jubilee year we have “We have reflected and celebrated many events. Now that we are approaching the end, we must know the path we are going to continue. We need to know how Karachi can be a beacon of light for others, showing Christ to the people of Karachi,” and he stated. “three challenges that we must face.”

The first challenge is the invitation to the young people and families of the archdiocese to follow Jesus. Karachi has parishes, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, catechesis centers, to name just some of the realities linked to the Church. “To make these offices and institutions function – noted Monsignor Travas – we need committed and visionary people who invite others” to follow Jesus. “We need our young people and our families – he added – to know what Jesus is telling us today. Follow me all those who love the archdiocese of Karachi with their hearts and not just with their lips!”

“The second challenge we have – continues the prelate – is to follow the synodal path” outlined on numerous occasions by Pope Francis with bishops and lay people from around the world, with the invitation to “walk together.” Recently – he explains – I was in Lahore to participate in a Caritas Pakistan meeting, but I saw that there were only men, there were no women. Without the participation of women and youth, how can we move forward and invite others into the Church? I am convinced – he commented – that the parish means good for us, for me and for all my people; We must tell everyone ‘take care of your parish, take care of the archdiocese.'”

Finally, the third and final challenge, Bishop Travas recalled, “is to walk the path of Jesus, the path that leads to the poor and vulnerable people of Karachi.” The story of Dr. Ruth Pfau, he recalled, is “the true story of walking the path of Jesus. When he stopped in Karachi to rest while en route to India, he saw lepers in the Karachi railway station colony. There he made the decision to walk the path of Jesus in Karachi and served the people of Karachi all his life. When we see the different Catholic institutions in Karachi we witness that they all walk the path of Jesus. We must – the prelate concluded – continue walking the path of Jesus, to meet our Lord Jesus Christ.