The Catholic Church in Pakistan has welcomed the appointment of new bishops announced by Pope Leo XIV on March 10, 2026, bringing renewed leadership to the Archdiocese of Lahore and the Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta.
The announcement was widely welcomed by Catholics across the country, particularly in Lahore and Quetta, where the appointments directly affect church leadership.
Bishop Samson Shukardin, president of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, welcomed the decision and described it as a positive step for the Church.
He said the simultaneous appointments ensure that neither jurisdiction remains without pastoral leadership and will help the Church continue its mission effectively.
“I am happy for Archbishop-elect Khalid Rehmat, the youngest bishop in Pakistan. God has called him to a new mission in Lahore, where he served as a priest for more than a decade,” Bishop Shukardin said.
He also welcomed the appointment of Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, who previously served as Archbishop of Lahore. “With his pastoral experience, he will be able to continue his episcopal ministry with dedication in Balochistan,” he said.
Archbishop Shaw had stepped aside from the leadership of Lahore in August 2024 following allegations related to administrative and financial matters. During that period, Archbishop Benny Mario Travas of Karachi served as apostolic administrator of Lahore.
Fr Pascal Paulus, president of the Major Superiors’ Leadership Conference of Pakistan, also welcomed the Vatican’s decision.
“It is a great blessing. We pray that God may use both bishops to help people experience God’s love and mercy and grow in faith,” he told RVA News, assuring the support of religious congregations in the country.
Catholic lay leader Yousaf Benjamin, executive director of the human development organization Dignity First, said the appointment of Bishop Rehmat as Archbishop of Lahore surprised many clergy and faithful.
Bishop Rehmat, who has been serving as vicar apostolic of Quetta, is the youngest Catholic bishop in Pakistan and the first Pakistani member of the Capuchin Franciscan order to become Archbishop of Lahore.
Speaking to RVA News, Archbishop-elect Rehmat expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for entrusting him with the leadership of the archdiocese.
“I praise God for His love and mercy. I am not worthy, but I trust that God has plans for His people. As His humble servant, I am ready to say yes to His call,” he said.
With this appointment, the Archdiocese of Lahore will again be led by a Capuchin archbishop after nearly five decades. The diocese was first entrusted to Capuchin missionaries by the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in 1886 and was served by Belgian Capuchin missionaries until 1975.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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