Rehmat in Lahore and Shaw in Quetta: Pope Leo's choice for a new beginning in Pakistan

The unusual ‘exchange’ between the prelates of the two episcopal sees is linked to certain accusations (which proved unfounded) that in the summer of 2024 led to the appointment of an apostolic administrator in the Archdiocese of Punjab. The faithful hope that this decision will help to revive the life of the local Church, encouraging everyone to participate.

Lahore (AsiaNews) - The Catholic community in Pakistan has welcomed with confidence Pope Leo XIV's decision on the important episcopal appointments made yesterday at the end of a troubled period for the local Church in Lahore.

The Pope has appointed the current apostolic vicar of Quetta, Capuchin friar Mons. Khalid Rehmat, as the new archbishop of Lahore, assigning Mons. Sebastian Francis Shaw, a friar minor who had been the metropolitan of the Catholic community in the capital of Punjab since 2013, to the see of Quetta.

The unusual exchange of roles comes after Archbishop Shaw was suspended from office by the Vatican on 15 August 2024 following a series of serious allegations against him, including abuse of power and financial mismanagement.

He was accused of illegally selling Church property at below market value and embezzling funds from a Catholic hospital and an educational commission. There was also a priest – now suspended – who accused the prelate of sexual abuse.

The Holy See decided to launch an investigation into the matter, led by Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, Archbishop Emeritus of Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Archbishop Benny Mario Travas of Karachi, a canon lawyer, who was appointed apostolic administrator at the same time, while Shaw was invited to take a “sabbatical year” to allow the truth to be ascertained.

At the end of this period, the Pope's decisions arrived yesterday, based on the outcome of the investigation, which found the accusations against the prelate to be unfounded, but also noted the need for change to remedy the climate that had arisen in the Archdiocese of Lahore.

Hence Pope Leo XIV's decision to call Monsignor Rehmat, 57, originally from the diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, to lead the Church of Lahore, one of Pakistan's two metropolitan sees. At the same time, however, he confirmed 68-year-old Monsignor Shaw in the episcopal ministry, entrusting him with the apostolic vicariate of Quetta, in the highly sensitive region of Baluchistan.

‘It is truly a time of prayer and reflection for the entire Christian community, and I would say that Pope Leo has made a wise decision in filling the vacant seat of Archbishop of Lahore,’ comments Kashif Anthony, secretary of the Catholic Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism.

Sr. Liza Niamat, of the Daughters of Charity, also warmly congratulated Archbishop-elect Khalid Rehmat, saying that this well-deserved recognition is the result of his faithful and dedicated service. She also prayed for both new appointees - the archbishop and the apostolic vicar - that the Lord may grant them a servant's heart like that of Jesus Christ, rooted in faith, and that they may be true shepherds to their flock.

Yousaf Benjamin, managing director of Dignity First - an NGO committed to defending human rights - from Lahore comments to AsiaNews: " It is a time of joy and spiritual renewal. It is like a homecoming: the new archbishop will bring a renewed sense of stability and hope to the faithful. I hope for an accessible and listening leadership that will bridge the gap between clergy and laity, encouraging more active participation of the faithful in the life of the Church. Focusing on young people and the spiritual and social well-being of the most marginalised in our parishes."

For his part, Rev. Amjad Niamat, chair of the Commission for Ecumenism, Human Rights and Interfaith Peace Harmony of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, also congratulates Archbishop Sebastian Shaw on his appointment to Quetta.

"The Pope has entrusted him with an important responsibility that reflects great confidence in his faithful leadership and wisdom. I believe that his guidance will strengthen the mission of the Church and encourage unity among believers. May God grant him wisdom, strength and guidance as he embarks on this new pastoral responsibility: let us pray that his ministry will bring hope, peace and spiritual renewal to the faithful. On behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, I assure him of our prayers and fraternal support."