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Suffragan diocese Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi

Islamabaden(sis)-Ravalpinden(sis)

The Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi is a Latin rite diocese covering northern Pakistan, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and the Rawalpindi and Sargodha Divisions, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lahore. Erected in 1887 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Kafiristan and Kashmir from the Diocese of Lahore, it became the Diocese of Rawalpindi in 1947 and took its present name in 1979. Its seat is St. Joseph's Cathedral in Rawalpindi.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for St. Joseph's Cathedral, Rawalpindi, in Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

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Established
1887
Catholics
214,976
Priests
32
Territory
178,341 km²

Parishes and churches

25 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Bishop
Joseph Arshad
Born
25 August 1964
Birthplace
Lahore

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Rawalpindi stands in Islamabad-Rawalpindi, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

History

The story of the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Lat: Dioecesis Islamabadensis-Ravalpindensis), a Latin Church see in Pakistan, reaches back to 1887, when it was first erected as the Apostolic Prefecture of Kafiristan and Kashmir out of the Diocese of Lahore. In 1947 the prefecture was raised to a full diocese and took the name diocese of Rawalpindi.

This see in the wire

Stories that name this see

The wire's resolver matched this see in the text of each story.

  • Archbishop Joseph Arshad encourages Christian children in Pakistan

    Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi is encouraging Christian children in Pakistan to act as small apostles and missionaries by praying, helping others, and setting a good example. According to Vatican News and Církev.cz, many Christian children in the country face difficult living conditions, including poverty, child labor, and limited access to education. These children also experience discrimination and exclusion in schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The Catholic Church is addressing these challenges by focusing on child protection, education, and involving children in the life of the Church.

    Sep 18, 2026 · Life & Family · 2 sources

  • Archbishop Joseph Arshad calls Catholic children “apostles and missionaries”

    Sep 16, 2026 · Life & Family

Filed by our own wire from published sources. Read the wire.