Pakistan: CCIDE Hosts Interfaith Christmas Programme Promoting Peace and Harmony

The Catholic Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Ecumenism (CCIDE) in Pakistan organized an Interfaith Christmas Programme at St Anthony’s School, Lahore, on December 13, 2025, bringing together religious leaders and government representatives to promote peace, harmony, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

The Commission seeks to foster goodwill, strengthen interreligious relations, and encourage a shared commitment to peaceful coexistence in Pakistan’s religiously diverse society.

Speaking at the programme, Bishop Yousaf Sohan of the Diocese of Multan, Chairman of CCIDE, emphasized the Commission’s mission to spread the message of love and peace across the country.

“Our mission is to spread the message of love and peace among people of all faiths in Pakistan. Through interreligious dialogue, we must make every possible effort to live in peaceful coexistence and to strengthen harmony, mutual respect, and unity,” the Bishop said. “Representing the Catholic Church in Pakistan, and as Chairman of CCIDE, I am committed to spreading this mission as widely as possible.”

Bishop Sohan, who is also a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, referred to the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the landmark Vatican II document on relations with non-Christian religions. He noted that Pope Leo XIV, together with Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, has encouraged faith communities to deepen relationships across religious boundaries.

“Good relations with people of other faiths help us contribute more effectively to peace, harmony, unity, and social justice in our society, in our country, and in the world,” he added.

During the programme, Bishop Sohan joined leaders of other faiths in lighting the Christmas candle and cutting the Christmas cake, symbolizing unity and shared commitment to peace. He urged religious leaders to work together to promote harmony and reconciliation in Pakistan.

“We should all be heralds of peace and harmony,” the Bishop said. “Together with our Muslim brothers and sisters and people of other faiths, we must continue to foster and spread the message of peace and harmony throughout Pakistan.”

The Interfaith Christmas Programme was attended by prominent religious leaders and public officials, including Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minority Affairs of the Government of Punjab Province.

Addressing the gathering, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Grand Imam of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, stressed the shared responsibility of religious leaders to safeguard peace.

“We must play our role in strengthening peace and harmony in Pakistan, as our forefathers did at the time of the country’s creation,” he said. “Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and we believe in his message. As Muslims, guided by the teachings of Islam and Prophet Muhammad, we make every possible effort to build peace and harmony in Pakistan.”

Maulana Azad, who recently met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican during the commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, described the encounter as deeply meaningful.

“It gave me great joy to meet Pope Leo, a man of peace who seeks to spread the message of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,” he said. “I was deeply moved to see the Pope praying for peace and harmony in Pakistan.” He added that he had extended an invitation to the Holy Father to visit Pakistan and expressed hope that, with the cooperation of the Government of Pakistan, such a visit could take place.

Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain, a renowned Islamic cleric, also addressed the gathering, highlighting shared beliefs across faith traditions.

“Jesus Christ is a messenger of peace, and the Holy Quran also speaks of Jesus as the Prince of Peace,” he said. “We assure our full cooperation with the initiatives of the Government of Pakistan and the Catholic Church to maintain peace and harmony.” He praised the Catholic Church’s efforts and noted that “the beauty of Pakistan lies in peace and harmony among Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs.”

Minister Ramesh Singh Arora commended the Catholic Church for its consistent efforts to promote interfaith harmony.

“Pakistan is a land of peace, and we are all equal citizens,” he said. “The presence of people from all faiths at this gathering shows our shared desire to promote peace and harmony.” Referring to interfaith celebrations, he added that observing Christmas, Eid, and other religious festivals together strengthens unity, brotherhood, and mutual respect.

Also present was Fr. James Channan, OP, Director of the Peace Centre Lahore, who emphasized the wider impact of interreligious unity.

“The unity among people of different religions sends a positive message to the world,” he said. “Despite many challenges, we in Pakistan continue our efforts to spread peace and harmony.”