Lahore, Pakistan, Apr 15, 2016 / 05:08 am
Just weeks after the deadly Easter Sunday attacks on Christians, Catholics in Pakistan had a time to rejoice: five new young priests were ordained for the Capuchin Franciscans.
Asif Nazir, a local catechist and teacher, told CNA that the ordinations are "a blessing and gift of God to our Catholic Church and our country."
More than 800 people packed Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore last Friday. Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore ordained the five Capuchin friars to the priesthood April 8: Lazar Aslam, Adnan Kashif, Azam Siddique, Almas Yousaf, and Adeel Mazhar.
The same day, Bishop Benny Travas of Multan ordained another two men priests.