Christian children, “apostles and missionaries” amid discrimination and poverty

In brief

Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi called Catholic children to act as little 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, and religious sisters for prayer and missionary formation.

The meeting was organized through the efforts of Father Farooq Ghafoor, the diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. This event is part of the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi's 2026 Year of Children, which addresses urgent needs regarding child protection and education.

Rabeel Aslam, the head of social communications for the diocese, stated that Christian children face systemic religious discrimination, social exclusion, and prejudice in schools. Aslam noted that these challenges, along with limited access to public services and scholarships, restrict the socio-economic mobility of Christian children from an early age. The diocese also identified child labor and economic vulnerability as significant issues facing young people in marginalized areas.