Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Peace Center Lahore
Lahore (Fides News Agency) – "The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Pakistan's Christians are a people of hope: we continue to spread the message of peace, human dignity, and justice that Jesus Christ entrusted to us," said Father James Channan, Dominican and director of the Peace Center in Lahore, in an interview with Fides, calling for the urgent need to make the Social Doctrine of the Church known and applied in a context marked by religious pluralism, social inequalities, and challenges to religious freedom. Although the Catholic Church comprises only 1.37% of Pakistan's population, it continues to play a significant role in promoting peace, interreligious dialogue, human rights, and the formation of conscience, according to Father Channan.
Pakistan has over 230 million inhabitants and is a predominantly Muslim country (96%), while the number of Christians is approximately 3.3 million. “As a minority community, we are often subjected to discrimination and sometimes persecution because of our faith,” notes Father Channan, who points to the high illiteracy rate within the Christian community, estimated at 65 to 80 percent. Despite these challenges, the Catholic Church continues to make “a significant contribution to Pakistani society through schools, vocational training centers, pastoral care facilities, and educational programs that promote human dignity, equal civil rights, and religious freedom.” According to the priest, these institutions “represent concrete ways to build a more inclusive society that respects differences.” Interreligious dialogue, particularly between Christians and Muslims, is a central concern of the Church, especially in Pakistan. In this context, the Pakistani Bishops’ Conference established the National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism. This organization promotes seminars, meetings, and initiatives nationwide, creating opportunities for exchange and cooperation between members of different religions. As Father Channan emphasizes, the Dominican Order plays a crucial role in this context with its Ibn-e-Mariam Center for Peace in Lahore, inaugurated in 2010 by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. The center, commonly known as the ‘Peace Center’, organizes training programs, conferences, and activities throughout the year, particularly for young people and families, "with the aim of fostering a culture of encounter, peace, and harmonious coexistence," he explains.
Father Channan notes that "in recent years, civil institutions have also increasingly focused on this issue and established commissions for interreligious harmony at the federal and provincial levels." "Nevertheless," he observes, "it remains essential to strengthen dialogue, especially at the local level, where tensions and misunderstandings between different communities frequently arise." Father Channan Father Channon places the situation in Pakistan within the broader Asian context, reminding us that Asia is home to almost 60% of the world's population and some 415 million Christians, representing 8% of the continent's population. "In a context characterized by extraordinary religious, cultural, and ethnic pluralism, the Church's social teaching is a valuable resource for promoting good governance, responsible leadership, and integral human development," he observes. Referring to the Church's Magisterium, from Pope Leo XIII's encyclical "Rerum Novarum" to Pope John Paul II's "Centesimus Annus," Father Channon emphasizes that "the economic, social, and technological progress that characterizes Asian societies is inextricably linked to moral responsibility and respect for human dignity." He stresses the importance of including believers of all faiths in this discussion. “In Asia, religious pluralism is not a theory, but a lived reality for millions of people,” the priest observes. For this reason, he concludes, “it is necessary to intensify educational initiatives, publications, seminars, and shared activities between Christians, Muslims, and members of other religions, including through increased financial support for church organizations working in this field.” (PA) (Fides News Agency, 20/6/2026)
