Muslim politicians and activists in Pakistan have joined Christians in welcoming the news about Pope Francis nominating His Grace Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi among 14 new cardinals he will elevate on June 29. The minority Christian community of Pakistan expressed its gratitude at the news of the nomination of Archbishop Coutts as cardinal. Pakistan received its first cardinal 45 years ago when Pope Paul VI made Archbishop Joseph Cordeiro also of Karachi a cardinal in 1973. Some 24 years after his death in 1994, the predominantly Muslim nation will now have its second cardinal.
As reported by ucanews.com, His Excellency Archbishop Coutts remarked that “I am very surprised at my elevation as cardinal. I am only hearing it from media and friends. I am yet to be officially notified by the Vatican. However, if the news is correct, I will be traveling to the Vatican in June to receive the red hat.” Father Bonnie Mendes, former executive secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (PCBC), told AsiaNews that “We are truly thrilled. It was long overdue. The Church of Pakistan was depressed because of many years of persecution.”
Prominent Muslim personalities have also welcomed the news of Pakistan’s second cardinal. His Grace Archbishop Coutts is the National Director of Caritas Pakistan and is actively involved in inter-faith dialogue with Muslims. He is also the president of Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference. A doctor of philosophy, he can speak several languages including English, Italian, German, French, Urdu, Punjabi and Sindhi.
Source: asianews/ ucanews
