ASIA/PAKISTAN - Auxiliary Bishop of Lahore appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on February 14, 2009, appointed Fr. Francis Shah, O.F.M., formerly Provincial Minister of the Order of Friars Minor in Pakistan, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lahore (Pakistan), assigning him the titular see of Tino.
Fr. Francis Shah, O.F.M., was born on November 14, 1957 in Padri-Jo-Goth, Sanghar (province of Sindh, Diocese of Hyderabad). After attending the Khatoon-e-Fatima High School in his hometown, he attended the Government Degree College for Bachelor of Arts studies. In 1984, after having worked for nearly 8 years as a professor, he entered the Franciscan Novitiate in Karachi and finished his Theology studies at Christ the King Seminary, from 1987-1991. He took his perpetual vows on August 2, 1989. Two year later, on December 6, 1991, he was ordained a priest.
He has since ministered as follows: 1991 – 1995: Rector of the Juniorate and Postulancy Dar-ul-Naim of Lahore and Professor at the at the Lahore Minor Seminary and the “Inter-religious” Novitiate and Juniorate; 1996 - 1998: Studi – Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling at De La Salle University in Manila; 1998 - 1999: Master of Novices for the Franciscan Order in Karachi; 1999 - 2005: Provincial Minister of the Order of Friars Minor in Pakistan; President of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors in Pakistan (2003-2005).
Since 2005, he has served as Superior of the Franciscan formation house in Lahore (Juniorate and Postulancy Dar-ul-Naim). (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 16/2/2009)