Holy Mass for Opening of the Platinum Jubilee Year of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Diocese
The Holy Mass for opening of Platinum Jubilee year of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Diocese was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Lalkurti-Rawalpindi on October 01, 2021. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis (Apostolic Nuncio in Pakistan) along with His Excellency Archbishop Dr. Joseph Arshad and all the clergy of the Diocese.
His Excellency Mr. Bernhard Schlagheck, Ambassador of Republic of Germany, His Excellency Mr. Paulo Neves Pocinho, Ambassador of Portugal, Bishop Samuel Azariah, Director Christian Study, Pastor Nadeem Kamran from Christ Church, Pastor Emmanuel Lorraine, Vicar & District Superintendent St. Thomas Church Islamabad were prominent amongst the participants. Pastors from other denominations, Sisters from different congregations, brothers and a number of parishioners witnessed the opening Mass of the Jubilee year.
During the Holy Mass the Diocesan flag was blessed, and the Jubilee candle was lightened to mark the opening of the Jubilee year. His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis blessed everyone with his prayers and wished everyone a prosperous Jubilee year. His Excellency Archbishop Dr. Joseph Arshad thanked everyone for their contribution to arrange the Holy Mass and shared about his plans during the jubilee year. He also mentioned that throughout this year we will arrange different programs and events to prepare ourselves for the Platinum Jubilee of the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi which will be held in October 2022.
At the end of the Holy Mass, children from Khatoon-e-Fatimah School Islamabad presented a very beautiful tableau for the Jubilee.
The diocese has a long history, as it was originally erected in 1887, as the Apostolic Prefecture of Kafiristan and Kashmir. The prefecture was erected from the Diocese of Lahore.
In 1947, the Apostolic prefecture was elevated to a full diocese, and renamed the diocese of Rawalpindi.
