Pakistan: Bishop Lays Foundation Stone for First Catholic Nursing College in Diocese

On April 29, Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad, eastern Pakistan, laid the foundation stone of St. Mary’s BSN College in Okara, the first-ever Catholic nursing college in the diocese.

Addressing the gathering, Bishop Indrias Rehmat hailed the initiative as a landmark mission destined to transform the regional healthcare landscape. He emphasized that the new nursing college would help address the shortage of trained medical staff, not only in the city but across the entire territory of the Catholic Diocese of Faisalabad.

“Medical education is an urgent need of the time, and we also need many health workers to support the Church’s healthcare mission. St. Mary’s BSN College will serve as an educational tower, aiming to provide more opportunities to youth who want to serve as healthcare workers,” Bishop Indrias Rehmat said. “It is a ‘mission of hope’ that will serve as a vital hub for empowering local youth, especially Christian youth, to rise and build a brighter future as healthcare workers serving the sick and suffering.”

Bishop Indrias Rehmat, along with clergy, sisters, and lay faithful, celebrated Mass before laying the foundation stone of the nursing college. He described the initiative as part of the diocese’s commitment to promoting quality education for healthcare workers and strengthening healthcare services in the diocese and the country.

Speaking to RVA, the bishop said: “We aim to enroll over 100 students annually in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at St. Mary’s BSN College, and the facility can be expanded in the future to accommodate a growing number of admissions.”

The Catholic Diocese of Faisalabad, which covers a vast territory of 35,300 square kilometers, serves over 200,000 Catholics. The diocese remains a vital healthcare provider, managing a network of two hospitals, six dispensaries, and a midwifery training school.

Fr. Nadeem John Shakir, a senior priest in the diocese, appreciated the efforts of Bishop Indrias Rehmat in bringing a long-time dream to reality. “Education is always a top priority of our diocese. I hope this college will equip youth with professional skills and serve as a beacon of hope for healthcare services in Punjab province,” he said.

Ashiknaz Khokhar, a member of the Dominican Lay Group, lauded the initiative as a historic milestone. “This project realizes a long-held dream,” he said. “Under our bishop’s leadership, this nursing college represents a vital step toward the professional empowerment and future prosperity of Christian youth in the diocese.”