Pakistan: Bishop Sebastian Francis Shaw Installed as Apostolic Vicar of Quetta

In a solemn Mass held at St. Mary’s Church in Jaffarabad, Balochistan province, Pakistan, on March 24, Bishop Sebastian Francis Shaw was formally installed as the Apostolic Vicar of Quetta.

The installation marked a significant transition for Bishop Shaw, who previously served for over a decade as Archbishop of Lahore, one of Pakistan’s most prominent metropolitan sees.

The rite began with the formal reading of the Apostolic Letter from Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Benny Travas of Karachi presented the mandate to the congregation, officially authorizing the appointment. This was followed by a communication from the Apostolic Nunciature, read by Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, conveying the fraternal support of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Germano Penemote.

Bishop Shaw then placed his hand on the Book of the Gospels to take the Oath of Fidelity and the Profession of Faith. After professing his commitment to maintain communion with the Holy See and to lead the vicariate with diligence, he was formally seated in the episcopal chair, signifying his canonical and spiritual possession of the office.

The transition comes at a critical time for the local Church. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass, remains a challenging missionary frontier, with an estimated Catholic population of only 33,000 scattered across vast distances.

Bishop Khalid Rehmat, Archbishop-elect of Lahore and outgoing leader of the Quetta Vicariate, addressed the faithful during the liturgy. He expressed deep gratitude for Bishop Shaw’s steadfast vocation and called on the clergy, religious, and laity to cooperate fully with their new shepherd for the glory of God.

In his first homily as Apostolic Vicar of Quetta, Bishop Shaw reflected on the responsibilities of leadership and the identity of a disciple. “The role of a shepherd is inseparable from the heart of a disciple,” he said, emphasizing that fulfilling one’s responsibilities is a sacred duty. He urged the faithful to remain committed to their specific callings within the community.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and heads of various religious congregations, signaling unified support for the Church’s mission in this geographically vast and spiritually significant region of Pakistan.