Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta

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Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta

Apostolicus Vicariatus Quettensis

کوئٹہ کے رسولی پادری
Location
CountryPakistan
MetropolitanDirectly exempt to the Holy See
Statistics
Area347,188 km2 (134,050 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2010)
7,296,000
30,518 (0.4%)
Information
DenominationCatholic Church
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
Established9 November 2001 (As Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta)
29 April 2010 (Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta)
CathedralPro-Cathedral of the Holy Rosary in Quetta
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
Apostolic VicarKhalid Rehmat, O.F.M

The Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta (

Latin: Vicariatus Apostolicus Quettensis), originally the Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta, is a Latin Church missionary territory or apostolic vicariate of the Catholic Church in Pakistan. It comprises the civil province of Balochistan and the Kachhi region of Punjab, Pakistan
.

History

The areas were originally under the jurisdiction of the “

Salesians.[1]

Around 1990, the Catholics of Baluchistan had already started asking for a separate diocese.

apostolic nuncio to Pakistan, at St. Joseph's Convent School in Quetta. At that time the prefecture had eight priests and 12 Religious serving about 27,000 Catholics.[4]

In 2008, the Prefecture was subdivided into six parishes and serving nearly 30,000 Catholics. In Quetta there are 5 congregations of religious sisters (20 sisters) and 10 priests, including OMIs and

Salesians.[citation needed
]

On 29 April 2010 Pope Benedict XVI elevated the apostolic prefecture of Quetta to the rank of apostolic vicariate. He appointed Fr. Victor Gnanapragasam as apostolic vicar of the new ecclesiastical circumscription and the titular bishop of Timida.[5] On 21 April 2012, the first ordination of a Catholic priest in Baluchistan took place in St. Pius X Parish Church, Samungli Road, Quetta. Deacon Gulshan Barkat of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate was ordained by Bishop Victor Gnanapragasam, the Vicar Apostolic of Quetta.[6]

Current situation

The main church is the

Catholic Board of Education.[7]

Since 2003, Lac La Biche, Alberta Council in Canada has conducted an annual fundraiser for the Apostolic Prefecture, which is working to develop into a diocese. Over the years, the Knights of Columbus have raised more than $45,000 to support the Prefecture. In 2009, the council also donated two chalices.[8] The Prefecture also runs a home for urgent social service to orphans, abandoned women, and poor families. There are 19 Catholic learning institutions and 14 social institutions (including hospitals, aid centers for marginalized persons, etc.).

The Prefecture is also home to some innovative programs like computer classes for the youth. The St. Eugene Computer Center, in the compound of the Holy Rosary Church is run by Oblate Father Maqsood Nazeer, the parish priest.[9]

Bishop Gnanapragasam died on December 12, 2020, from a heart attack.[10]

Schools in the prefecture

  • St Francis Grammar School
  • Sacred Heart Girls High School
  • St. Joseph's Convent School[11]

References

  1. ^ "The Christian faith is alive in the desert of Baluchistan Agenzia Fides 17/6/2008".
  2. ^ "UCANews.com May 22, 1990".[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta".
  4. ^ "UCANews.com 12 April 2002".[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ EWTN TV
  6. ^ Agenzia Fides 20/4/2012
  7. ^ "UCANews.com May 7, 1998".[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ COLUMBIA (Knights of Columbus Magazine) May 2010
  9. ^ "Priest Runs Computer Center For Catholic Youth UCANews.com July 24, 2008". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008.
  10. ^ "Sri Lankan missionary bishop dies in Pakistan - UCA News". ucanews.com. December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  11. ^ "Dawn, April 8, 2002".

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