Among the 14 new cardinals to be appointed in Pope Francis' fifth consistory is Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi.
In a country where Catholics make up less than two percent of the population, becoming Pakistan's second-ever cardinal was not something Coutts had planned.
JOSEPH COUTTS
Cardinal-Designate
“I was taken by surprise personally because I never really expected this. Yet, when you look at it in the wider perspective, then gradually as I began to digest the news, I realized that what the pope was really doing is reaching out to the Churches in the periphery.”
While the Christian minority is occasionally targeted by the controversial blasphemy law in Pakistan, Coutts assures the faithful have more of a voice than in other countries with cardinal-designates, such as Iraq.
JOSEPH COUTTS
Cardinal-Designate
“Although we are a very small percentage, thank God we are not a silent minority or a hidden Church, like in some countries.We do have a voice, we do have representatives in parliament and we have the freedom to even protest.”
The motto for Coutts' episcopal ministry is “harmony,” and he's a tireless advocate for human rights. His constant promotion of interreligious dialogue, especially between Muslims and Christians, has endeared him to many of his counterparts.
JOSEPH COUTTS
Cardinal-Designate
“It was such a beautiful surprise for me when I had many Muslim friends and officials coming to congratulate me, but at the same time, saying, 'It's an honor for us' – meaning the whole country. That really made me realize that now I'm being pushed up to a much greater responsibility.”
After serving as both archbishop and president of Pakistan's episcopal conference, Joseph Coutts will receive a new challenge on Thursday, June 28.
