Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Fides Service) - With a solemn Mass in Karachi at the end of February, Archbishop Evarist Pinto, the fourth archbishop of Kararchi, took possession of his cathedral. The Mass was presided by Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico, Papal Nuncio in Pakistan, and various concelebrating Bishops including Bishop Anthony Lobo of Islamabad, Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad, Bishop Andrew Francis of Multan and many priests. Crowds of faithful, took part to give a warm welcome to the new Archbishop.
Born in Kararchi, Archbishop Pinto was appointed to this position of responsibility by Pope John Paul II on 5 January 2004. Formerly auxiliary Bishop and then appointed apostolic administrator in November 2002, when Archbishop Simeon Pereira resigned, Mgr Pinto, who has studied also in universities in Rome, is known as gifted preacher and writer.
Speaking during the Mass for his installation, the Archbishop renewed his total loyalty to the Pope and expressed his gratitude to former Bishops who preceded him in the task of guiding the archdiocese of Karachi and to the Franciscan missionaries who first carried the Good News to this region. The new Archbishop asked each person to play their part in the life of the local Church according to his or her specific charisma, state of life, lay or religious.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2004 lines 21 word 207)
