Church Dispute Sparks Holy Communion Disruption in Gojra


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.