Archbishop Arshad Visits “House of Wisdom” in Islamabad, Highlights Role of Higher Education for Youth

On April 24, Archbishop Joseph Arshad visited the “House of Wisdom” in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, a residential formation center run by the Archdiocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, to review students’ progress and reaffirm the Church’s commitment to higher education as a pathway for social and community development.

Founded in 2022, the House of Wisdom is a specialized institute that provides a structured living and learning environment for selected Catholic students pursuing university studies in the capital.

Currently, 25 students are enrolled in the program.

In addition to accommodation, the center provides financial assistance, reflecting the local Church’s long-term vision of supporting the next generation of Christian professionals in Pakistan, where Christians are a religious minority.

Archbishop Arshad was welcomed by resident students and the institute’s leadership team. The reception included a performance by the House of Wisdom Choir, which sang the hymn “Nabyo Ki Manand Bulaya Tujhe” (“Called Like the Prophets”), reflecting the center’s emphasis on leadership and service.

In his address, the archbishop stressed that the future of the community depends on intellectual development and professional expertise. He identified political science, journalism, and information technology as key fields where greater Christian participation is needed.

“We need leaders who serve with a living heart,” he said, adding that while literacy challenges persist in Pakistan, access to higher education remains a critical tool for long-term social change.

He also met with students individually to discuss their academic goals and the challenges they face in their studies.

Archbishop Arshad encouraged the students, noting that their success is seen as a shared achievement for the wider Church community.

Fr. David John, director of the House of Wisdom, said the visit reinforced the students’ sense of belonging.

“The presence of the archbishop gives these students confidence that their community supports their aspirations,” he said. “Our goal is to bridge academic learning with compassionate leadership.”

During the visit, Archbishop Arshad planted a tree in the House of Wisdom garden, in connection with global Earth Day observances and the Church’s focus on the Year of St. Francis of Assisi. The gesture symbolized a link between academic formation and care for creation, inspired by the Franciscan tradition reflected in the “Canticle of the Creatures.”

The Archdiocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi plans to expand support for the program to ensure that more Christian youth can access opportunities in key professional fields.