Support for the training of 63 catechists in Khushpur

Khushpur, in the Faisalabad District of the province of Punjab, is the largest Catholic village in Pakistan. It is sometimes referred to as “Pakistan’s Vatican,” because this village, with its close to 8,000 Catholics and extremely active Church life, is a pillar of strength for the Catholic Church in this overwhelmingly Muslim country. Many priestly and religious vocations, including that of two bishops, have started here.

Also from Khushpur was the former Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, murdered by masked gunmen for having stood up against the misuse of the notorious blasphemy laws in Pakistan. A Taliban-affiliated group later claimed responsibility for his killing. He is buried here, in his home village. Just three weeks after his murder, the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference applied officially to the Vatican to have him included on the list of “Martyrs of the Universal Church.” In his very last interview, the minister had once again voiced his commitment to being a “witness for Christ.”

Khushpur is also home to the National Catechist Training Centre, which began its activities in 1952. Currently there are 63 men following a three-year formation course at the centre. Those who are already married and have families are provided with a small apartment, and their wives likewise attend a variety of courses, for example in sewing, economics, and basic health care, in addition to basic Bible knowledge. The worlds of men and women are strictly segregated in Pakistan, and so this allows the catechists’ wives to help care for the women in their communities. The children of these catechists are also able to attend the local Catholic kindergarten or school.

The trainee catechists come from all over Pakistan and will return after their training to their home dioceses, where they will serve the Church. Since many parishes in the country cover vast areas and dispersed villages, these catechists will play a vital role in transmitting the faith in areas the priests are unable to visit regularly.

ACN has been supporting the Catechists’ Formation Centre for many years now and this year is no exception, especially due to inflation which has sent prices skyrocketing. We would like to contribute an amount of $13,593 so that the 63 trainees may continue their formation.