Bishop Indrias Rehmat chose Fr Abid Tanvir, former diocese vicar general, as parish priest. Two catechists were also appointed to work with him. Admired and visited by Muslims, the church named after Saint Anthony was inaugurated last year. The bishop urged the faithful “to make this beautiful church stronger in spirituality.”
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has ended around the world. Pope Francis together with the Anglican Primate Welby gave a group of bishops the mandate to
Forced conversions, child brides, and abuse of blasphemy laws are just a few examples. Christian and Hindu girls and young women are especially targeted in the Muslim-majority country. Greater commitment and accountability are needed from police, government, and judiciary. In one year, 3,914 rapes, 664 cases of domestic violence, 174 honour killings, and 44 acid attacks were recorded in Punjab alone.
The Heal Foundation organised a meeting attended by about 150 people. For Fr Abid Tanveer, vicar general of the Diocese of Faisalabad, “we have to sensitise people to change their behaviour towards disabled persons” through inspiration in Jesus.