Church in Pakistan faces crisis of trust and leadership

The Vatican's decision last week to remove Lahore's Franciscan Archbishop Sebastian Shaw after years of alleged sexual misconduct and financial fraud shocked Catholics in Pakistan's most populous Roman Catholic archdiocese.

August 26, 2024

Lahore Archbishop Sebastian Shaw was dismissed from his post last week. (Supplied photo)

By Kamran Chaudhry
The Vatican's decision last week to remove Lahore's Franciscan Archbishop Sebastian Shaw after years of alleged sexual misconduct and financial fraud shocked Catholics in Pakistan's most populous Roman Catholic archdiocese.

The Vatican's action is the first of its kind in the history of the Catholic Church in the Islamic nation, where documented Catholic history began with the arrival of Father Jill Perera in Lahore in 1579 at the invitation of Mughal Emperor Akbar.

The hierarchy and Catholics of Pakistan's mother diocese, as well as the national Church as a whole, are unsure how to respond publicly to the Vatican's decision to force a sitting archbishop to take a period of leave to help investigate allegations of corruption during his tenure.

The Church in Pakistan is facing a crisis of confidence and leadership. This crisis is compounded by the suffering of Catholics, most of whom are economically poor, a tiny minority within an overwhelming Muslim majority, who are struggling with a range of challenges, from social discrimination to religious persecution.

Many in the archdiocese are incredulous and embarrassed by Shaw’s allegations of blatant abuse of power, which some would dismiss as rumors. Some Catholics in the archdiocese, however, have publicly admitted to complaining to the nuncio that Shaw allegedly ignored church financial committees to sell archdiocesan land and embezzle money.

Catholic lay leaders also spoke of their complaints to the nuncio about major financial disparities at a Catholic hospital in Sialkot, which they said was the construction of a luxurious bishop's house and a clergy house in Lahore, and the misappropriation of wealth from the National Catholic Education Commission through his nephew, who continues to be its director general.

Continued cover-up
The crisis began at least two years ago, in August 2022, when Archdiocesan Father Rashid Alphonse became the first priest to speak out against Shaw’s alleged sinful actions. He was suspended from the priesthood, something many now view as a moral decision.

Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, retired Archbishop of Dhaka, visited Lahore in December 2022 as part of the commission of inquiry and reported to the then Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan, Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis.

Church officials, however, have not said why Shaw was removed or what the nature and scope of the investigation they plan to conduct is. Catholics are wondering about the scope of the misconduct and potential cover-ups, which some estimate to be in the millions of dollars.

It seems that the entire church system has worked to protect Shaw and continues to do so. When the rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral read the Vatican’s decision to remove Shaw during Sunday Mass on August 18, the Facebook page of Pakistani Catholic Television decided not to broadcast the Mass live, which was a regular feature of the diocesan channel.

An attempt at cover-up is also apparent in the letter released by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, headed by Filipino Cardinal Antonio Tagle. The letter states that due to a difficult situation that continues in the archdiocese, it has been decided that Shaw will be absent from his office for a period of time and that Shaw has expressed his willingness to go on leave.

The hierarchy may explain these laborious words as diplomacy and an expression of Christian charity to protect the honor and privacy of the accused.

One may wonder, however, whether the hierarchy would show such charity if the accused were not part of it. Furthermore, would the principles of Christian life allow the truth to be buried and the community to be kept in ignorance of crimes committed at the highest level?

Pakistani Catholics now understand that both sides – the Vatican and Shaw – agreed that Shaw had committed crimes unworthy of an archbishop and that Shaw had to go. They also know that both sides agreed to keep Catholics blind to the crimes, making them a distant third party within the Church.

Irreparable damage
These events have significantly damaged the reputation of the Catholic Church in Pakistan. Non-Catholic Christians, who once believed that the Catholic Church was well-organized and free from financial corruption, are now questioning its integrity.

The Protestant Church of Pakistan began to get involved in property affairs soon after its founding in 1970 as a united forum of Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Lutherans.

Its bishops used to praise the structure of the Catholic Church and its commitment to ecumenical gatherings.

“We have our heads down, embarrassed,” said one priest, adding that for decades the hierarchy covered up clergy sexual abuse and financial scandals.

“In the coming years, many such cases will occur. The tradition of covering up scandals has weakened the Church. It may seem like a prophecy of doom, but it is inevitable if we do not pay attention and heal now,” he said on condition of anonymity.

Shaw’s dismissal and the silence of the hierarchy are not just a matter of ecclesiastical politics. These events have shaken the faith of local Catholics to its foundations, for they are accustomed to regarding their bishop as their chief teacher, sanctifier, and shepherd of the people of God. Sitting in the cathedral chair, they always place him “above and before” them.

Franciscan reconstruction is necessary
The Catholics of Lahore took Shaw, a Franciscan friar, as their special spiritual guide. They were proud to say that he was a religious man following the spirituality of St. Francis, whose life was marked by humility, poverty and a deep respect for God's creation. The impact of the fall is greater because it occurred far above the position of an ordinary bishop.

Local Catholics complained about the bishop's unwelcoming attitude. Some claimed that the bishop feared gatherings of priests. Even the rector of the cathedral lived outside the bishopric.

Shaw preferred to live alone in the three-story bishop's house. In his time, a Marian grotto in front of the old bishop's house was moved to near the front door, supposedly to preserve the bishop's privacy from those who came to pray there. Perhaps his detachment from the community was his weak point.

Families visiting him are asked to bring garlands, not flowers. The priest accuses him of being a “dictator rather than a man of dialogue.”

The Vatican may appoint a new archbishop, but that will not help calm Catholics. People have a right to know why Shaw was removed from office and who collaborated in his alleged crimes and sins. They are also waiting to see whether their material losses will be reimbursed and whether the crimes will be reported to the police.

It will take time, courage and perseverance to get the diocese back on track. Every member of the clergy, especially young pastoral leaders, will have to work hard to regain the trust of donor agencies.

Healing will require a thorough cleansing, including removing bishops and priests who supported the alleged crimes, prioritizing merit, and discouraging nepotism and sycophancy.–ucanews.com