Caritas Pakistan marks 50 years of service in South Asia

Last updated on: October 16, 2015 at 6:08 am by CNA Daily News

Caritas Pakistan marks 50 years of service in South Asia 2015-10-16T06:08:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lahore, Pakistan, Oct 16, 2015 / 12:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Hundreds of Catholics in Pakistan gathered last month for a Mass of Thanksgiving which kicked off celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Caritas Pakistan, part of the worldwide confederation of Catholic relief organizations.

“It is a very special occasion to celebrate this glorious occasion of a 50 years' journey of works of solidarity that Caritas Pakistan and the bishops have courageously committed to in taking the Gospel's values to people in distressing situations, despite facing growing persecution and discriminations against the Christian community,” Asif Nazir, a Caritas member in the country told CNA Oct. 15.

Nazir pointed out that through Caritas “the bishops in Pakistan have stood strong with undeterred faith, reaching remote areas and helping people of all religions in times of calamity and natural disasters.”

Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, who is chairman of Caritas Pakistan, celebrated the thanksgiving Mass in Lahore's Youhanabad neighborhood Sept. 17. Concelebrants included Bishop Rufin Anthony of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Bishop Joseph Arshad of Faisalabad, Bishop Benny Travas of Multan, and a number of priests.

During his homily Archbishop Coutts reflected on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, saying, “Our work is not complete without compassion.”

Credit: Caritas Pakistan.

Amjad Gulzar, executive director of Caritas Pakistan, thanked the organization's benefactors as well as the local and central government, saying that “this golden jubilee gives us a chance to renew our commitment to helping the poor and needy…it is not the end of a program, but the beginning of a new venture.”

Caritas Pakistan is the social agency of the nation's bishops, which was established in 1965 to provide support for families and children, the elderly, homeless, refugees, prisoners, the disabled, and to assist in peace building and environmental issues. It has helped the Church in the country to provide education, health, and social development, to uplift the Pakistani community.

The celebration of the anniversary included a workshop on Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical Laudato si'. Fr. Pascal Robert, a professor at Karachi's National Catholic Institute of Theology, said it is “a call to relate ourselves with every creature alive.”

Estephen David, climate change officer at Caritas Pakistan, noted that “Pakistan ranks number 15 among the countries on the climate change risk index … the World Bank estimates that climate change in South Asia has impacted on Pakistan a loss of around $3.57 billion over the past 18 years.”

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

October 15, 2015

Don't 'regionalize' Church teaching on marriage, says Irish archbishop at synod

Next Post

October 16, 2015 Men and women are complementary – but what does that look like in practice?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Pale Horse in Revelations symbolize?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Prosperity War Death The Kingdom of God