Diocesan Inquiry into Cause of Canonization of Akash Bashir

Diocesan Inquiry into the Cause of Canonization of Akash Bashir Closes

(ANS – Lahore, Pakistan – March 15, 2024) – At Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, Pakistan, on Friday, March 15, Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, OFM, officially closed the diocesan inquiry into the life, martyrdom, and reputation of the Servant of God Akash Bashir (June 22, 1994 - March 15, 2015), a cause that had been opened two years ago, on 15 March 2022.

Exactly nine years have passed since the day Akash Bashir sacrificed his life to prevent a suicide bomber from causing a massacre in St. John’s Church in Youhannabad, a Christian neighborhood in Lahore. Akash was 20 years old, had studied at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Lahore, and had become a security volunteer.

Abp. Shaw presided over the closing session of the diocesan Inquest, in the presence of Fr. Amjad Yousaf, episcopal delegate, Fr. Rafhan Fayyaz, promoter of justice, and Fr. Patrick Samuel OFM Cap., notary. The original Acts, the transcript, and the public copy were presented, declared authentic, and entrusted to Bishop Germano Penemote, apostolic nuncio, who is to transmit the Acts to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome, where they will be studied intensely.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the archbishop, with Bishop Penemote, Bishop Joseph Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad, and Bishop Yousaf Sohan of Multan as concelebrants. The parents and siblings of Akash Bashir were present. Priests from all parishes in the diocese, representatives of all religious congregations in the country, as well as seminarians, Salesian alumni, and students of the Salesian Institute devoutly participated in the solemn Eucharist.

In their remarks, Abp. Shaw and the other bishops praised Akash’s courage and unwavering faith, expressed gratitude for the completion of the diocesan phase, and assured prayers for the future.

The Catholic Church of Pakistan experienced this event with great participation; it is the first cause of beatification and canonization for a Pakistani Christian. The main promoter of the cause is the Salesian Congregation, led by its postulator general, Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, and the vice postulator Fr. Gabriel de Jesus Cruz Trejo, SDB.

It is significant that in the intentions for the month of March, in which the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Missionary Martyrs is celebrated, the Pope dedicated the video released by the World Prayer Network to those who live the faith despite persecution and lack of freedom: their testimony “is a sign that we are on the right path.” In the video, in which the Pope tells the poignant story of a woman martyr in our times, there is also a reference to Akash Bashir. The Pope invites people to pray “that those in various parts of the world who risk their lives for the Gospel may infect the Church with their courage and missionary drive.”

Like the Servant of God Akash Bashir, today there are many hidden martyrs who lead ordinary lives with consistency and the courage to accept the grace of witnessing to the end, even unto death. They have not denied or forgotten their faith but have held it firm and demonstrated their fidelity to Jesus Christ. That is why they indicate the just path of the Church.