Anchor Your Life in Scripture, Pakistan Prelate Urges Young Catholics at Mission Seminar

Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw has urged young Catholics in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province to deepen their lives through Scripture, prayer and the sacraments as they respond to their baptismal call to mission.

The Archbishop made the appeal during an educational and spiritual seminar organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of the Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta on August 11 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jaffarabad Killi Khaizi, Quetta.

About 150 people attended the seminar, including clergy, religious sisters, parish youth groups, Sunday school teachers and parish representatives from across the vicariate. Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, is a major city in southwestern Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim region bordering Afghanistan and Iran.

The seminar focused on the history and biblical foundations of Catholic missionary work and its pastoral role in the local Church. It also sought to encourage young Catholics to take a more active role in evangelization and pastoral outreach.

Archbishop Shaw, who served as chief guest and led the pastoral and liturgical programs, encouraged participants to become active witnesses of the Gospel in their families, parishes and communities.

“Mission is not a task reserved for a few, but a living calling for every baptized Christian,” Archbishop Shaw said.

“When our young people deepen their roots in the Word of God and stand firm in faith, they become powerful instruments of hope, healing, and light,” he added.

The Archbishop encouraged young people to overcome hesitation and take greater responsibility in their parish communities. He emphasized that missionary activity begins in ordinary settings, at home, in schools and in daily encounters with others, through acts of compassion and service.

“Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to share your faith,” he said. “Anchoring your lives in daily Scripture reading, prayer, and the sacraments will give you the spiritual strength to face life’s challenges while inspiring those around you.”

Fr. Imtiaz Faryad, diocesan director of PMS Quetta, organized the seminar with the local PMS team and led the main instructional session.

He explained the history, organizational structure and global mission of the Pontifical Mission Societies, while also exploring the biblical foundations of Christian mission. He encouraged participants to support the Church’s missionary outreach through PMS initiatives.

Participants later took part in interactive group workshops on pastoral outreach and related issues. Archbishop Shaw and other clergy visited the groups, offering guidance and listening to their presentations.

During the closing program, PMS Quetta announced the appointment of Rohail Arsalan as coordinator of the Pontifical Mission Societies for the Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta. The nomination, submitted by Fr. Faryad, received the approval and pastoral blessing of Archbishop Shaw.

Arsalan expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him and highlighted the importance of strengthening missionary formation among young people.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by the confidence placed in me by Archbishop Shaw and Fr. Imtiaz Faryad,” he said.

The seminar concluded with acknowledgments and a final blessing from Archbishop Shaw.