ASIA/PAKISTAN - Inauguration of the new Archbishop of Karachi: "I want to be a shepherd with the smell of sheep"

Monday, 12 April 2021

Karachi (Agenzia Fides): "I thank God for choosing me as Archbishop of Karachi and I thank Pope Francis for considering me worthy to lead the archdiocese. The Holy Father's humility and love for those who live in the suburbs and, in particular, the reminder that, as shepherds, we should live with the smell of the sheep, will always be the guiding principle of my episcopal ministry", said Mgr. Benny Mario Travas at his inauguration at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi on April 11, 2021. He is the sixth Bishop of the Archdiocese of Karachi.
"The Archdiocese of Karachi has a large number of young priests and religious and I assure you that I have made a commitment to be a good shepherd. Under the banner of my episcopal motto 'Communion' - the prelate continued - my mission will be to overcome any division. Through teamwork, praying together and doing good works for all, we can heal the wounds of the Archdiocese of Karachi".
"We must work together with the new Archbishop to foster a spirit of humility, love, care and mutual understanding", said the Apostolic Nuncio in Pakistan, Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis. "This is how we build and strengthen the Church and this is how the Holy Spirit guides us from the beginning".
The number of participants in the celebration was limited due to regulations to contain Covid-19 in the country. Taking into account the current regulations, about 300 believers from all Catholic dioceses of Pakistan took part, including many priests and religious. Together with the new Archbishop, the Apostolic Nuncio Mgr. Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, Cardinal Joseph Coutts, his predecessor, Archbishop Joseph Arshad of the diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, OFM, of Lahore, Mgr. Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad, Mgr. Khalid Rehmat OFM, Cap of Quetta and Mgr. Evarist Pinto, Archbishop emeritus of Karachi.
Bishop Benny Mario Travas was born on November 21, 1966 in Karachi. After his studies at the Minor and Major Seminary of Karachi, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Karachi on 7 December 1990. After seven years of pastoral activity, he was sent to Rome to obtain a canon law degree from the Pontifical Urban University (1997). After returning home, he held the office of Vicar General of Karachi and at the same time Rector of the Minor Seminary of St. Pius X of the Archdiocese and lecturer at the Institute of Theology in Karachi. He was also a judge at the Church Court of Karachi and a member of the Council of Advisors and Priests. After serving as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Multan for nine months, he was appointed Bishop of Multan on May 29, 2015. On February 11, 2021, Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Karachi. (AG/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 12/4/2021)


Share: