LAHORE (PAKISTAN)
Katholisch.de [Bonn, Germany]
August 17, 2024
Violent accusations against the head of the largest diocese in Pakistan had been smouldering for a long time. Priests wrote letters of protest to Rome. Now the church leadership has apparently reacted. On the ground, however, they are keeping a low profile.
The Vatican has suspended the Archbishop of Lahore in Pakistan, Sebastian Shaw. This was announced by the head of administration of Pakistan’s most populous diocese, Vicar General Asif Sardar, according to the Asian Catholic press service Ucanews (Friday). In the past, allegations of sexual abuse and financial fraud had been levelled against Shaw. Rome has appointed the Archbishop of Karachi, Benny Mario Travas, as interim Apostolic Administrator, Sardar said.
During the mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption, Sardar called for prayers “for our archbishop”, who is now beginning a “sabbatical”. Sardar did not give a reason for the archbishop’s dismissal, according to Ucanews. According to the report, representatives of the church did not wish to comment on Shaw’s dismissal. However, allegations of sexual misconduct and financial fraud have been levelled against the 66-year-old archbishop for some time.
Letters and emails to Pope Francis
Sardar’s official announcement comes a month after the Christian-run YouTube channel “National News Nam” had already reported on Shaw’s imminent suspension. “Many priests from Lahore have sent letters and emails to the Pope pointing out Bishop Shaw’s corruption and dishonesty,” the channel reported on 13 July, according to Ucanews.
Francis Sodagar, the director of National News Nam, told Ucanews that the reports of Shaw’s misconduct were based on “leaked information”. The Archdiocese of Lahore, however, wanted to keep it quiet.
Lahore is the capital of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. Around 80 per cent of the 2.4 million Christians in the predominantly Islamic country live in Punjab. (KNA)