Lahore Archbishop Urges New Priests to Keep Christ at Center and Stay Close to People

Archbishop Khalid Rehmat, OFM Cap, of Lahore urged seven newly ordained priests to keep Christ at the center of their ministry and remain close to the people they are called to serve.

“Your ministry begins with the Lord, receives its strength from Him, and finds its fulfillment in Him,” Archbishop Rehmat said during the priests’ ordination Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, northeastern Pakistan, on August 11.

The archbishop emphasized that priestly ministry is rooted in the Paschal Mystery, Christ’s death and resurrection, and is expressed through selfless service to God and His people.

He reminded the newly ordained that although becoming a priest may begin with a personal desire, the vocation ultimately comes from God, who calls and entrusts each person with a particular mission in the Church.

Archbishop Rehmat urged the new priests to ensure that their ministry reaches beyond the walls of the Church and touches people in their daily lives, including their joys, sufferings, struggles and hopes.

Referring to Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, he said an evangelizing community participates in the lives of people through both words and actions. He encouraged the priests to listen to the people entrusted to their care and witness to the Gospel through the way they live and serve.

The archbishop also drew from Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti, highlighting the image of the Church as a home with open doors because she is a mother.

He encouraged the new priests to help build Christian communities where people experience love, respect, acceptance and hope.

“Keep Christ at the center of your ministry, remain close to the people, listen to them, and bear witness to the Gospel through your words and actions,” Archbishop Rehmat told the newly ordained.

The archbishop also stressed that priestly life requires fidelity, sacrifice and a commitment to serve God and His people.

During the Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Rehmat conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders through the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the laying on of hands.

The seven newly ordained priests are Andrew Javed, Andryas Amos, Arslan Aslam, Arfan James, Faisal Shamoun, Mohsin Anthony and Shafaqat John.

Archbishop Rehmat thanked the parents of the newly ordained priests for nurturing their sons in faith and supporting their vocations. He said their prayers, sacrifices, formation and encouragement had played an important role in the young men’s journey to the priesthood.

He also expressed gratitude to the teachers, formators and spiritual directors who accompanied the candidates throughout their priestly formation.

The ordination Mass was attended by the families of the new priests, clergy, religious sisters and a large number of faithful, marking a significant moment for the Catholic community in Lahore.

The seven priests will now begin their ministry of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments and serving the people entrusted to their pastoral care.