Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Gratitude to missionaries who planted the Gospel in Punjab; looking towards a hopeful future for Pakistani priests, called to be witnesses in the midst of the challenges of terrorism, fundamentalism, and poverty...these were the subject of the homily of Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, at the Mass held for the closure of the Year for Priests, held in recent days in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore. It was attended by hundreds of priests and religious, who accompanied the Archbishop in thanking the Lord for the gift of vocations and the priesthood, as a priest present at the Eucharistic celebration informed Fides.
The Archbishop said: "Looking to the past, we remember St. John Vianney, a model for every priest who spent his entire life administering the sacraments, especially that of confession. So did the missionaries, who over a hundred years ago planted and cultivated faith in Christ in our land. We remember them with honor and gratitude, for the sacrifices that have made."
As for the future, Archbishop Saldanha said: "Today we face the problems of terrorism and hatred and pressure simply in carrying out pastoral service to our loyal community of Christians. We ask God's special grace to continue to give hope to our people, to help believers to remain faithful to Jesus Christ, who invites us to remain in him, promising us his blessing."
Thus, the Archbishop stressed the importance of prayer and cultivating fraternal relations among priests, urging everyone to "work with care and dedication for the formation of seminarians, who are the future of our Church." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2010)
