Catholic Bishops of Pakistan Meet with Pope Leo XIV Amidst Persecution in their Country but with Great Hope for the Future - VIDEO
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During their recent ad limina visit to the Vatican, the bishops of Pakistan shared both the profound hopes and the severe hardships defining the Catholic Church in their country.
Bishop Samson Shukardin, President of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of Hyderabad, noted that the ad limina Apostolorum—a periodic pilgrimage where bishops report on their dioceses, meet with the Pope, and pray at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul—served as a vital source of encouragement and renewal.
New Hope and Insight for Future
The delegation presented comprehensive reports to various Vatican dicasteries, receiving welcoming and constructive feedback from Church officials.
“This ad limina is very important for us because spiritually and physically, this has given us a new insight and new hope in the coming future,” Bishop Shukardin said. “We have shared our reports in different dicasteries, and we received very positive responses from the different dicasteries, which is very important for us.”
The Realities of the Pakistani Church
Bishop Shukardin identified evangelisation as a central challenge for the local Catholic community. He painted a picture of a resilient flock that remains deeply committed to the faith despite facing severe economic limitations and systemic inequality.
Socioeconomic Status: The faithful face immense educational and financial hurdles.
“Our people are still illiterate but strong in faith,” the bishop said. “They are poor but very hard-working people, always working hard.”
Social Inequality: Marginalization remains a pervasive issue for the Christian minority.
“Many of our people are not receiving equal rights,” he lamented.
Key Concerns: Blasphemy and Forced Conversions
The bishops brought critical human rights issues to the forefront, explicitly highlighting the ongoing threats of blasphemy accusations and forced conversions that target religious minorities.
“We have a big problem regarding the blasphemy cases,” Bishop Shukardin stated, adding that “forced conversions are there.”
Christians frequently endure social rejection and active persecution as a direct consequence of their beliefs and religious witness.
“Sometimes our Church is rejected, persecuted because we are not going where they are expecting,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Despite navigating a perilous landscape, the leadership of Pakistan's Catholic Church maintains an unwavering focus on a more equitable tomorrow.
“Our Church is going through difficulties, but we are very hopeful,” Bishop Shukardin concluded. “We are hopeful that one day we will get our equal rights in Pakistan.”
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