Faisalabad, 12 October 2024 – A
disturbing and heart-wrenching incident unfolded at the Cathedral Church in
Gojra, Faisalabad, on Sunday, 6 October 2024, raising serious concerns about
the violation of Christian beliefs and the sanctity of the Church. The church,
which serves as the headquarters for the Diocese of Faisalabad, has been
embroiled in allegations of bias and oppression within its own congregation.
According to reports from Mr. and
Mrs. Nayyar Das, during the regular Sunday service, the church's vicar, Pastor
Isaac J. William, made a shocking announcement. He claimed that some members of
the church had violated its sanctity and warned of potential legal action
against them. The situation escalated during the Holy Communion, one of the
most sacred rites in Christian worship. However, Pastor Isaac abruptly stopped
the ritual, specifically targeting Mr. and Mrs. Nayyar Das, prominent members
of the congregation.
As Mr. Das explained to Pak
Christian News (PCN), Pastor Isaac declared, "God has given me this
authority. I can choose to give or withhold Holy Communion as I see fit. Today
will be the last time I give it to Mr. and Mrs. Nayyar Das." This statement
triggered immediate protests from the Das family and other church members, but
the situation soon turned violent.
Mr. Das further described how
Anwar Sharif Mattu, a church guard and member of the church committee, along
with his son, Sheroz Mattu, who was armed with a firearm, threatened the
protesters. Sheroz allegedly pointed the gun at the women in the congregation,
instilling widespread fear. Fortunately, the church elders intervened and
managed to defuse the situation, ensuring the safety of the Das family.
After the service, as the
congregation was leaving the church, another confrontation occurred. Samuel
Qamar, an advisor appointed by the Bishop of Faisalabad, The Rt Revd Aleem
Anwar, verbally abused Mrs. Iram Irfan in front of the crowd. According to Mr.
Das and Mrs. Irfan, Qamar threatened her with violence, calling on his sons,
who later surrounded her with weapons. Fearing for their safety, Mr. Nayyar Das
and Mrs. Iram Irfan filed a police complaint.
Pastor Isaac's Statement
In response to these allegations,
Pastor Isaac J. William defended his actions. He explained that he had only
recently been appointed by the Diocese of Faisalabad two months ago and that
his focus had been on restoring discipline within the church. According to him,
the church community, primarily composed of labourers and migrants, had raised
concerns regarding the participation of individuals in Holy Communion who had
remarried or were under disciplinary action. Pastor Isaac suggested that these
concerns prompted him to make the decision to withhold Holy Communion from
certain members, including the Das family.
Pastor Isaac also accused Mrs.
Nayyar Das of disruptive behaviour during the service. He stated that she had
filmed videos during the Holy Communion and accused him of corruption.
Furthermore, he claimed that the Das family had been warned previously and had
consistently spread false information about the church and Bishop Aleem Anwar
on social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok.
A Church Divided
The controversy has sparked a
wider debate within the Christian community in Faisalabad about the management
of the Diocese and the treatment of church members. What was once a place of
worship and unity, the Cathedral Church of Gojra has now become a battleground
for power struggles and allegations of abuse.
The ongoing tensions appear to stem from unresolved
preliminary issues between the church leadership and the congregation. As these
tensions continue to rise, both sides are grappling with how to address
underlying concerns related to leadership, faith, and safety within the church.
The Diocese of Faisalabad now faces a critical juncture as it attempts to
restore peace, rebuild trust, and preserve the sanctity of the church. Despite
efforts to find common ground, the unresolved conflicts between church leadership
and congregants leave the future of the church uncertain.