Archbishop Joseph Arshad calls Catholic children “apostles and missionaries”

In brief

Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi called Catholic children apostles and missionaries during a meeting organized by the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood. The gathering, themed Children Helping Children, brought together children, teachers, priests, religious sisters, and representatives from Catholic schools for prayer and missionary formation.

The meeting took place as the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi celebrates a Year of Children in 2026 to address issues regarding education and child protection. Archbishop Arshad encouraged the children to share the love and message of Christ with others despite the challenges they face.

Rabeel Aslam, the head of social communications for the diocese, told Agenzia Fides that Christian children in Pakistan face systemic religious discrimination, social exclusion, and prejudice in schools. Aslam noted that these factors, along with limited access to public services and scholarships, restrict the socio-economic mobility of Catholic children from an early age. The diocese also identified child labor and economic vulnerability as significant concerns for the community.