CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF FAISLABAD
Catholic Diocese of Faislabad Erected in 1960, as the Diocese of Lyallpur, the diocese was created from the Diocese of Multan. The new diocese comprised the civil districts of Faisalabad (formerly Lyallpur), Sahiwal and Jhang. In 1977, the name of the diocese was changed to the Diocese of Faisalabad. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lahore. The Diocese of Faisalabad now comprises the following civil boundaries: the whole of the Faisalabad Division with the districts of Faisalahad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot. In the Multan Division, the districts of Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Okara. The Diocese of Faisalabad covers a 35,300 km2 area and is home to about 189,000 Catholics in 28 parishes.The Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul is the main church of the diocese.The biggest Catholic village in Pakistan, Khushpur, is also located in the diocese. It celebrated its centenary in 2001. Father Parvez Emmanuel was the parish priest at the time. The village has about 7,000 Catholics and produced one bishop, John Joseph of Faisalabad, 20 priests and more than 100 nuns.The Focolare Movement was introduced into Pakistan in 1968 via the Faisalabad diocese by Father Juliano Ricchiardi, an Italian priest serving at the National Catechists' Training Centre in Khushpur. As of 2008, according to local sources, the movement in Pakistan counted 18 Focolarinas, 11 Focolarinos and about 400 other affiliated members including lay people, nuns and priests. Focolare is a Catholic lay movement whose name means "family hearth" present in more than 180 countries and involving more than 2 million people. The movement was recognized by the Catholic Church under the official name "Work of Mary."
There are 3 Major Catholic institutions in Catholic Diocese of Faislabad
St. Thomas the Apostle Minor Seminary is the preparatory seminary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Faisalabad in Pakistan. It was started in 1981 at the initiative of Bishop Paul Andreotti OP in a rented property at Nalka Kohala on Sargodha Road in Faisalabad. Father Bashir Francis was the first Rector.n 1983, land was purchased for the construction of a new seminary. The dedication of the seminary occurred in 1985 under the leadership of the late Bishop John Joseph. The building being completed in December 1994.The seminary also plays host to other important events like the ongoing formation program for young priests attended by thirty young priests from various Religious congregations and dioceses from January 21–26, 1990.The seminary receives financial assistance from Aid to the Church in Need. This was acknowledged by Archbishop Joseph Arshad and rector Fr. Kamran Taj.In 2019 Fr. Kamran Taj was appointed rector of Christ the King Major Seminary in Karachi.
Khushpur, a village in the Samundri Tehsil of Faisalabad District in Punjab, Pakistan, is known as a primarily Catholic village, sometimes referred to as the "Rome of Pakistan" due to its large Christian population and the many vocations it has produced.Khushpur (Urdu: خوش پور) is a village in Samundri Tehsil of Faisalabad District in the province of Punjab in Pakistan. It is at 31°7'0N 72°53'0E with an altitude of 167 metres (551 feet). Neighboring settlements include Nara Dada and Rashiana. There is a large Christian community in Khushpur.Khushpur is located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Faisalabad. It has a population of almost 8,000, with the majority being Catholic Christians.Khushpur is the center of a parish, with 125 villages attached to it. The parish is known for its lively community and strong Catholic faith.The village is home to St. Albert's Catechist Training Centre, which trains young men to spread the Gospel throughout Pakistan.
St Albert’s Catechist Training Centre (CTC) is located in the village of Khushpur in Punjab Province, Pakistan, about 250 kms from the Provincial Capital, Lahore. Khushpur is the largest Christian village in Pakistan. CTC is situated in the largest Catholic village in Pakistan. Being located in a rural village means that there are numerous challenges in the areas of communications, electricity, gas, sewerage and drinking water. However, the Christian atmosphere of Khushpur is of great benefit to the CTC students and staff.The Catechist Training Centre (CTC) is vital to the mission of the Catholic Church in Pakistan for it is here that young men are trained and formed to spread the Gospel throughout the country. The formation course lasts three years and all students live on site. After graduation, catechists become full time assistants to the priests in their parishes. The evangelisation of Pakistan relies on the catechists.