Church to highlight importance of priests

Catholic dioceses in Pakistan have launched the Year for Priests with a commitment to run programs stressing the importance of the priesthood.

Pope Benedict XVI, earlier this year, announced that a special Year for Priests would commence on June 19, the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. He also wrote a special letter to all priests, issued June 18 at the Vatican, elaborating on the special year.

Archbishop Evarist Pinto of Karachi concelebrated a special Mass with 25 priests at Sacred Heart Church in the southern city. Karachi archdiocese has 37 diocesan priests.

“Programs will be held throughout the country to make the Christian community realize the identity, mission and vocation of a priest,” said Archbishop Pinto during the June 19 celebration. “The importance of a priest lies in serving the community with commitment and love,” he added.

He then distributed souvenirs commemorating the special year to his priests.

Faisalabad diocese in eastern Pakistan also held a special Mass at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 19, attended by about 20 diocesan priests.

“It is a year of thanksgiving for priestly vocations, to review the mistakes of the past and to start afresh for the future,” said Father Bashir Francis, former Faisalabad vicar general, in his address.

The Pope´s letter for the special year was read out, and the diocese announced yearlong activities to promote priestly vocations in all of its 18 parishes.

Father Aftab James Paul, director of Faisalabad diocese´s Commission for Interfaith Dialogue, told UCA News the diocese plans to organize a seminar on the special year in each parish. In addition the diocese will also “compile some books on the dignity of the life of a priest.”

“Banners with biblical verses related to the priesthood will also be displayed in Catholic churches and educational institutions” to promote the vocation among young people, he said.

Father Paul noted that there is a shortage of priests in Pakistan, with 164 diocesan priests serving more than 1 million Catholics.

Christians form less than 2 percent of Pakistan´s 160 million people, about 95 percent of whom are Muslims.