PAKISTAN
“A call to pray and serve my people” – Cardinal Coutts
On his return to Pakistan after being created cardinal in Rome, Cardinal Joseph Coutts commented:
“I am not chosen because I am the most capable. This is God’s plan for me: serving him close to the Holy Father. It is a responsibility and a call to pray and serve more. My elevation to Cardinal is an honour for the Church and for Pakistan, so I urge all the faithful to support me with prayer so that I can fulfil the responsibilities assigned to me.”
Coutts plans to visit all the parishes of his diocese and says that being appointed Cardinal “will mean doing more for my people and for the universal Church.”
Messages of congratulations continue to arrive from civil and religious leaders, lay groups, political leaders, government officials and NGO personnel many of whom have visited the Cardinal to wish him well.
The Cardinal was greeted by a festive reception upon his arrival from Rome, with over 200 motorbikes escorting him from the airport to Saint Patrick Cathedral in Karachi. The faithful lined the route dressed in their traditional clothes holding garlands and bouquets of flowers.
Cardinal Coutts told a crowd of over 5,000 gathered in Saint Patrick Cathedral where he concelebrated the Mass of thanksgiving for his creation to Cardinal with all the Catholic Bishops in Pakistan “I am happy with the messages and visits I receive from all over the country not only from Christians but from many non-Christian groups. It is a moment of joy but at the same time, it is a great responsibility for me. I invite all the faithful to support me with prayer.”
