For Pakistan’s priests the Year for Priests is a new invitation to mission
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - “We are local priests here in Pakistan, but our role is that of the missionary in a Muslim country”. Fr. Khalid Rasheed is diocesan director of Youth Commission in Faisalabad. Speaking to AsiaNews about the Year for Priests he states that “in a country like Pakistan priests are playing a prophetic role”. There are little over 260 priests in the country, between diocesan and religious. They are trusted with the care of over 1 million Catholics, l.1% of the 160 million habitants.
Fr. Rasheed comments the Year for Priests is the best possible way to continue on from the Pauline Year for priests in Pakistan. “Priests living in Muslim countries have to follow the example of St. Paul. The words of St. Paul that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ should be our mission. So following this mission we have to follow our great teacher: Christ”.
More than 20 priests of Faisalabad diocese celebrated a special Eucharistic Mass in the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral to mark the start of Priest’s Year in the diocese. Fr. Rufin Anthony, Vicar General of Faisalabad, prepared a twenty page Urdu language booklet about importance of the priest’s year for the faithful, introducing them to the figure of Saint Jean Marie Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests throughout the world. The booklet also aims to help create a greater understanding of the mission and value of the clergy and the year inaugurated by Benedict XVI for the entire church.
During mass Fr. Aftab James Paul, diocesan director of interfaith commission, narrated the year of priests and highlighted its importance, as well as suggesting practical steps for the whole diocese during the entire year.
Fr. Paul also highlighted the three points laid out by Holy Father during the year: relentlessly seek a solid union with Jesus; strive for sainthood; to live a prayerful life. Following on from this seminars and consultations on the topic of priesthood and priestly life will be arranged in all regions of the diocese.
The Church in Faisalabad also aims to involve the laity in affirming the value of the priesthood. It will do so by publishing books commemorating the witness offered by deceased priests. For young people too there are many initiatives being programmed. Fr Rasheed affirms: “We have few young men in our seminaries and the special year for priests is a time to ponder this issue and to motivate and bring more and more youth to seminaries”.
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