The Karachi archdiocese on December 3 ordained its first local priest in 10 years.

Archbishop Evarist Pinto and 41 priests blessed and welcomed Father Ryan Joseph at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Karachi. The 27 year old local deacon is the first to be ordained as a “diocesan priest” following the 2009 ordination of a neocatechumenal priest.

The prelate expressed his joy after having to wait so long for a priest from local vocations. “We are happy that our youth is coming back to join the Catholic Church”, he said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source within Karachi’s national seminary blamed the “military attitude” in the seminary for successive dropouts in the past decade.

“The seniors used to employ juniors for their personal work like ironing and even washing clothes. Grouping among candidates was dominant; this restricted movement of boys in different areas of the seminary”, he said, adding that five left in recent years.

“We adapted new formation strategies, trying to making them work together as one unit. This included encouraging them in collective gardening, dishwashing, cleaning, preparing homilies and sending them out together. The biggest challenge was for them to accept one another”, he said.

Similarly Fr Joseph lost nine other candidates in his batch. “Mostly left for personal reasons while a few were dropped by the authorities. I will endeavor to inspire more youths as well as help them find better positions in the  social sector”, he said.

There are presently 27 minor and 24 major seminarians in Karachi archdiocese. Some 28 diocesan priests are presently serving in the seaport city.

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