Khalid Rehmat’s first night in Lahore: unity preached, custody death condemned
On the evening of March 28 (ET), the same day he was installed as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lahore, Archbishop Khalid Rehmat visited the family of Iftikhar Masih, a Catholic man who was arrested on March 26 and was later reported dead the same day while in police custody.
What did Khalid Rehmat do on the day of his installation?
The Archdiocese of Lahore marked March 28 (ET) with the installation of Metropolitan Archbishop Khalid Rehmat, a 57-year-old Capuchin friar and former Apostolic Vicar of Quetta. The ceremony drew hundreds of faithful and clergy, with the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Germano Penemote, present. The welcome included drums, flowers, rose petals, hymns, and special prayers.
In his homily, Archbishop Khalid Rehmat said that vocation and life are guided by God’s plans rather than personal positions, and he thanked Pope Leo XIV for entrusting him with leadership of the archdiocese. He framed the installation not only as ceremonial, but as “an ecclesial moment of grace and responsibility. ”
Bishop Benny Mario Travas, Archbishop of Karachi and Apostolic Administrator of Lahore since the “suspension” of Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw on August 18, 2024 (ET), presented Archbishop Khalid Rehmat to the diocesan community. Travas said he received “many instructions from Rome, ” highlighting a central instruction: to promote unity and fraternity among the clergy. He also warned priests to guard against divisions fueled by “those among you who use you for their own interests and agendas. ”
What is known about the death of Iftikhar Masih in police custody?
The same evening as his installation on March 28 (ET), Archbishop Khalid Rehmat went to the home of Iftikhar Masih’s family, condemned the killing, and pledged Church support for Masih’s relatives. Masih was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Green Town, Lahore. He was arrested by police on March 26 (ET) and was later reported dead that same day.
Archbishop Khalid Rehmat expressed sorrow after learning of the incident through the parish priest and said he made it a priority to visit the family, pray with them, and console them. He instructed the parish priest to accompany the family during what he described as a difficult time and to assist “in all possible ways. ”
Fr. Shahzad Khokhar, OFM Cap, parish priest of St. Paul’s Church, condemned the killing and described it as brutal violence. He said police beat Masih to death. Fr. Khokhar stated that Masih, 42, was a gardener and a father of four, and that he was allegedly arrested and tortured in front of his family. Fr. Khokhar also said police demanded 200, 000 Pakistani rupees (about 720 US dollars) to stop the abuse.
Fr. Khokhar further alleged that, after Masih died in custody, police officials hanged him from a fan using his scarf in order to present the death as a suicide. He said police filed a First Information Report accusing Masih of abducting a girl at gunpoint and claimed he later took his own life in custody; the family denied the allegations. Fr. Khokhar said the family members witnessed the beating and later saw marks of violence on Masih’s body.
Fr. Khokhar also said that, after persistent efforts, a case has been filed against the police officers involved. He expressed hope that justice would be achieved for the family and said broader reforms are needed, emphasizing that proper procedures must be followed, including registering a case and presenting it in court, and that torture and brutal violence are never acceptable.
Fr. Adil Ashraf, OP, assistant director of the Peace Center in Lahore, also condemned the incident and called for justice. He said he did not believe the accusations against Masih and characterized Masih as a poor gardener. Fr. Ashraf said police tortured Masih to extort money and that Masih died during the violence, calling it a shameful act by those entrusted to protect people.
How are Church leaders framing the moment for Lahore’s Catholic community?
Alongside the immediate response to the custody death, senior Catholic figures presented Archbishop Khalid Rehmat’s installation as a turning point for cohesion in the archdiocese. Travas described unity and fraternity among clergy as a central directive he had received from Rome, while also warning against internal divisions driven by personal interests and agendas.
Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Karachi, recalled Lahore’s historical importance for the development of the Catholic Church in Pakistan. He urged prayers for Archbishop Khalid Rehmat, asking that God “may carry him on eagle’s wings and be with him in all that he does. ” Coutts added that more work remains in ecumenism, referencing the prayer of Jesus Christ “that they may all be one. ”
Fr. Almas Salas, a priest of the Archdiocese of Lahore, said the appointment of a Capuchin friar as archbishop would be a source of blessing for the local Church. Kashif Anthony, secretary of the Catholic Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism of the Archdiocese of Karachi, said the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin has played a significant role in the development of the Catholic Church in Pakistan, particularly in pastoral care, education, and missionary work. He also noted that a milestone came in 2021 with the appointment of Khalid Rehmat as Apostolic Vicar of Quetta, making him the first Pakistani Capuchin bishop.
Within hours of the installation ceremony’s calls for unity, Archbishop Khalid Rehmat’s visit to a grieving family placed a stark public focus on the demand for justice in a case involving allegations of torture, extortion, and a disputed account of death in custody.
