Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Fides Service) – “The Lord has chosen you to be his messengers. You are called to carry out your pastoral duties with zeal and dedication”. With these words Archbishop Lawrence Saldhana of Lahore, encouraged five new priests whom he ordained on 27 June in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore. This was the largest number of priests ordained together for the archdiocese. The Catholic community was overjoyed and gave thanks to God for the “gift of new workers for the vineyard of God’s Kingdom.” Present at the ordination the local clergy, religious and 700 lay faithful as well as a good number of Franciscans.
The Archbishop thanked the Franciscans for all they have done and still do for the Church in Pakistan and he also thanked the parents of the new priests for sustaining their son’s calling to work for the Kingdom of God: “Parents have a special role in educating their children to a Christian life style. Formation staff are also very important because they help seminarians in their human spiritual and theological growth.”.
Father Francis Nadeem, vice provincial of the Capuchins in Pakistan thanked the Archbishop and all who had come for the ordination. On behalf of the five new priests Father Qaiser Feroz made act of entrustment to Almighty God, promising to work with generosity at every task assigned. The Capuchins have been in the Punjab region Pakistan for over a century engaged in social promotion, education and evangelisation. PA (Fides Service 1/7/2003 EM lines 26 Words: 276)
