The Catholic Church of Pakistan, has its first official candidate to sainthood and martyrdom, Akash Bashir, a young victim of a suicide bombing who prevented an even larger massacre.
Akash, a lay Catholic and former pupil of Don Bosco Technical Institute of Lahore, became a martyr in his bid to prevent a suicide bomber from entering a packed church in 2015.
Celebrating the feast of St. John Bosco on Monday, Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore announced that the Vatican has accepted the cause of Akash Bashir's martyrdom, UCA News reported. The title 'Servant of God' is given to a candidate at the beginning of the sainthood process at the diocesan level.
Pakistani Catholics have begun praying for the intercession of the first Servant of God and martyr.
“A great day for the Catholic Church in Pakistan. He offered his life as a sacrifice to save the lives of the Christian community at St. John's Catholic Church, Youhanabad, Lahore,” said Vicar General of the archdiocese, Father Francis Gulzar, in a statement. "He is the first Pakistani Christian who has been raised to the rank of the Holy People of God.”
Born on 22 June 1994 in Risalpur, Nowshera, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Akash died a martyr at the age of 20.
A Martyr is born
On 15 March 2015, two suicide bombers blew themselves up near St. John’s Catholic Church and the nearby Christ Church of the Church of Pakistan in Lahore’s predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Youhanabad, as the faithful were gathered inside for Sunday worship during Lent.
The attacks, claimed by the terrorist group called TTP-JA, killed 17 people and injured more than 70.
Akash, an alumnus of Don Bosco Technical Institute who served as a volunteer security guard, prevented a suicide bomber from entering St. John’s Catholic Church.
“I will die but I will not let you go in,” were his words as he confronted the terrorist strapped with explosives. The attacker detonated the bomb, instantly killing himself, Bashir and 2 others outside the church packed with over 1,000 faithfuls, thus preventing a large-scale carnage.
St. John’s Catholic Church after the attack, the bomber was kept outside of the courtyard by Akash who dragged the attacker off the wall…World Watch Monitor
Pope’s closeness to Pakistan Christians
Pope Francis was quick to denounce the terror attacks.
“Dear brothers and sisters, with sorrow, with much sorrow, I learned of today’s terrorist attacks on two churches in the city of Lahore, Pakistan, which caused many deaths and injuries,” he said, hours later at the midday Angelus prayer that day. “They are Christian churches. Christians are being persecuted. Our brothers and sisters are spilling their blood solely because they are Christians,” he lamented. “While I assure the victims and their families of my prayers, I ask the Lord, I implore the Lord, source of all goodness, the gift of peace and accord for that country; may there be an end to this persecution of Christians, which the world tries to hide, and may there be peace,” the Pope added.
Akash’s family
Akash’s father, Bashir Emmanuel, told World Watch Monitor that Akash’s family often tried to stop him from joining church security volunteers, but he wanted to offer his life for the security of his community.
He also said he didn’t know about the latest development regarding his son. “One of my sons shared that there is a special Mass at the church,” he told UCA News. “Akash symbolizes the strength of the Christian faith in our country. I pray for the clearance of all steps to sainthood.”
The family of 'Servant of God' Akash Bashir, along with a priest (Image courtesy: Vatican News)
Archbishop Emeritus Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore congratulated the community. “When there is so much sad news, this news is very joyful. Akash remains a great model of a modern martyr. May he inspire and encourage all young people,” UCA News reported him as saying in a Facebook post.
The way to Sainthood
The cause of sainthood is a long and rigorous process that takes several years. Documenting the life and virtues of a holy person or martyr cannot begin until 5 years after death. However, the Pope can waive this waiting period, as has been the case of Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
Salesian news agency ANS reported that the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 9 November 2021 authorized Lahore Archdiocese to open the cause of the martyrdom of Akash.
For a martyr candidate, such as Akash, a miracle is not required at the Beatification stage. For final sainthood, when the person is officially declared a saint at a canonization ceremony, another miracle through the person’s intercession must be proved, including for the martyr candidate.
-VaticanNews