Pakistani Archbishop Consecrates New St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lahore

Archbishop Khalid Rehmat of Lahore consecrated a newly built St. Francis of Assisi Church in Babliana, a neighborhood in Lahore, eastern Pakistan, on October 4, during celebrations marking the saint’s feast and the Confirmation of 130 Catholics.

More than 300 faithful attended the triple celebration at the church, a substation of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in the Phoolnagar district, serving more than 200 registered Catholic families, according to church records.

The ceremony included the consecration of the 10-marla church building, the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to 70 girls and 60 boys, and celebrations honoring St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian saint associated with peace and care for creation.

Archbishop Rehmat was welcomed by parishioners with traditional music, dances, rose petals and a horse-drawn carriage. Young people presented tableaux depicting episodes from the life of St. Francis, while children dressed as elements of nature, including air, water, fire, animals, birds and plants, highlighting the saint’s concern for creation.

During the consecration rite, the archbishop solemnly opened the church doors, led the Litany of the Saints and anointed the altar and interior walls with holy chrism, the blessed oil used in Catholic consecration rites. He also blessed the church with holy water and lit a candle in honor of St. Francis.

Fr. Robinson Ashiq, OFM Cap., assistant parish priest, concelebrated the Eucharist and assisted with the liturgical rites alongside catechists, religious sisters and pastoral council members. Pigeons were released outside the church as a symbol of peace and harmony.

In his homily, Archbishop Rehmat congratulated the community on its new church and urged parishioners to follow the example of St. Francis through humility, simplicity and love.

He said the consecration of a church should also inspire the faithful to build themselves into a living temple of God through their lives and relationships.

The archbishop encouraged the community to make the church a center of reconciliation, unity and service for people in Babliana and neighboring areas of Lahore.

Addressing the 130 candidates who received Confirmation, he urged them to participate actively in the life of the Church and use their gifts to serve God and others.

Fr. Almas Yousaf, parish priest, encouraged children to regard the church as a home for prayer and spiritual growth. He urged them to practice kindness, love and joy in their families, schools and neighborhoods.

The celebration highlighted the role of local Catholic communities in strengthening faith and fostering social harmony in Pakistan, where Christians form a religious minority.

Through the new church, parishioners hope to deepen their spiritual life and continue serving their neighbors in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.