ACN supporting the training of catechists in Pakistan

There are currently 63 catechists training at the National Catechists’ Formation Centre in Khushpur, Pakistan. In large scattered parishes, the ministry of catechists is particularly valuable. ACN is supporting the formation of these 63 catechists at the training centre.

By ACN Staff

Seminar for the trainee catechists at the training centre. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Khushpur, in the Faisalabad district of the Punjab, is the largest Catholic “village” in all of Pakistan, with it sometimes jokingly called “Pakistan’s Vatican”. With close to 8,000 Catholics, the village has an extremely active Church life and is a pillar of strength for the Catholic Church in this overwhelmingly Muslim country. Khushpur has already produced numerous vocations to the priesthood and religious life – and even two bishops.

A trainee catechist’s wife receiving instruction. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The former Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti was also from Khushpur. He was 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 Pakistani bishops’ conference applied officially to the Vatican to have him included on the list of “Martyrs of the Universal Church”. And in his very last interview, Shahbaz Bhatti once again voiced his commitment to being a “witness for Christ”.

Since 1952, Khushpur has importantly served as the home of the National Catechists’ Formation Centre. 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 also attend a variety of courses, for example in sewing, economics, and basic health care and also in basic Bible knowledge. The worlds of men and women are strictly segregated in Pakistan, and so in this way, the catechists’ wives can help to care for the women in their communities. The children of these catechists are also able to attend the local Catholic kindergarten or school.

Trainee catechists at the centre. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

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 Pakistan cover vast areas and include numerous often widely scattered villages, these catechists will play a vital role in transmitting the Faith since the priests are too few and cannot be everywhere at once.

ACN has been supporting this catechists’ formation centre for many years now and is planning to help once again this year. In fact, our support is now needed more than ever, since soaring inflation has sent prices skyrocketing. This year we are proposing a contribution of €9850 so that the 63 trainee catechists can continue and complete their formation.