ARCHDIOCESE OF LAHORE
It was founded in 1880 as Apostolic Vicariate of Punjab, on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of Agra (now also a Metropolitan Archbishopric).On 1 September 1886 it was promoted and renamed after its see as Diocese of Lahore.The Archdiocese of Lahore is a major Catholic Church territory in Punjab province and the oldest diocese in the country.In 1880 the Vicariate of the Punjab was erected by separation from the Vicariate of Hindustan, and was placed under the care of the Italian Capuchin Fathers. This Vicariate, with the establishment of the Hierarchy in India in 1886, was elevated to a diocese with the Episcopal See at Lahore, and made suffragan to the Archdiocese of Agra. Two years later it was entrusted to the Belgian Province of the Capuchin Order. The largest Catholic Archdiocese in Pakistan is divided into 26 parishes.The Archdiocese is also home to the St. Francis Xavier Seminary.In 1880, the Vicariate of Punjab was erected by separation from the Vicariate of Hindustan and was placed under the care of the Italian Capuchin Fathers. This Vicariate, with the establishment of the Hierarchy in India in 1886, was elevated to a diocese with the Episcopal see at Lahore, and made suffragan to the Archdiocese of Agra. Two years later, it was entrusted to the Belgian Province of the Capuchin Order.The Archdiocese of Lahore is a major Catholic Church territory in Punjab province and the oldest diocese in the country.The Archdiocese of Lahore comprises of whole of Lahore Division with the Districts of Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Nankana- Sahib. In the Gujranwala Division, the Districts of Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, and Hafizabad.
There are 3 Major Catholic educational institutions in Karach Archdiocese.
St. Francis Xavier Seminary is a Roman Catholic major seminary in Yuhannabad, near Lahore, Pakistan. It is an institute of philosophical studies serving the whole country. It offers a two-year program in Christian philosophy. It is affiliated to the Pontifical Urban University of Rome.It's a philosophical Seminary where seminarians from all over Pakistan do their three years philosophy."Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians." This quote reflects Xavier's frustration with the lack of missionary work and the absence of people to spread the message of Christianity.Francis Xavier was a Spanish Jesuit who lived as a Roman Catholic missionary in the 1500s. He was one of the first seven members of the Jesuit order and travelled extensively, particularly in Southeast asia to share his faith. Lahore seminary rector sees increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life as “a sign of God's blessing”.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is the principal church of the archdiocese. The archdiocese is also home to St. Joseph's Church, Lahore, the oldest church of the Punjab, built in 1853.The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, also known as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, is one of the oldest and most significant churches in Lahore, Pakistan. It serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore. The Sacred Heart Cathedral was constructed in the early 20th century during the British colonial period, with its foundation stone laid in 1905.The archdiocese also publishes the Catholic Naqib, the oldest Urdu-language Catholic journal, founded in Lahore in 1929.Within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore in Pakistan, notable churches include the Sacred Heart Cathedral.The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, also known as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, is one of the oldest and most significant churches in Lahore, Pakistan.
St. Joseph's Church, Sarfaraz Rafiqui Road, is the oldest church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore in Pakistan. It was blessed on October 31, 1842. St. Joseph's was originally built to serve Catholics in the British Army. The first wooden chapel was built in 1842 whereas the present church was built in 1852.Lahore and Faisalabad have more Christian population than any other city in Punjab. Most Punjabi Christians are converts from the Hindu Churas and Mazhabi Sikh caste to Christianity during the British Raj in colonial India.Because of his special role as foster-father of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph has merited singular privileges in heaven unmatched by any saint excepting the Blessed Virgin Mary.Catholicism is the largest branch of Christianity and the Catholic Church is the largest among churches. About 50% of all Christians are Catholics. The first wooden chapel was built in 1842 whereas the present church was built in 1852.