Pakistani Archbishop renews Church’s appeal to protect children from abuse

By Vatican News

“Child protection is crucial.”

Archbishop Joseph Arshad, Pakistan’s Bishop of the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, insisted upon this point as he expressed “deep concern” over the growing number of child abuse cases in society in Pakistan.

The Archbishop told the pontifical news agency Fides that “The issue of child sexual abuse in Pakistan remains widespread and requires urgent attention.”

Abduction, rape, and daily child abuse

Citing figures from a report published by the Pakistani NGO Sahil, which monitors child abuse nationwide on a daily basis, titled Cruel Numbers, the Archbishop observed that in 2025, “there was an alarming 8 percent increase in reported cases, with 3,630 confirmed cases of violence, an average of more than nine children abused every day.”

The report stated that abduction and rape were the most common crimes, that girls composed 53 percent of the victims, and that children between the ages of 11 and 15 were the most vulnerable.

The Archbishop decried that “crimes against children are among the most shameful and intolerable violations of human dignity.”

‘Must be protected with the highest level of moral, social, legal and institutional responsibility’

“No society can call itself just, peaceful or civilized,” he insisted, “as long as its children live under threat, fear and insecurity,” for they are “a sacred gift from God and must be protected with the highest level of moral, social, legal and institutional responsibility.”

In this context, Archbishop Arshad urged the Government of Pakistan, law enforcement agencies, child protection departments and all relevant institutions “to take immediate, firm, transparent and exemplary measures against those responsible for such crimes.”

He called for “perpetrators of child abuse to be brought to justice without delay and for silence, negligence and the failure to enforce the law to be rejected.”

To draw attention to this issue, the Catholic community of Islamabad-Rawalpindi in northern Pakistan has dedicated 2026 to children by celebrating the “Year of Children.”

Church’s solemn commitment

The initiative, he stressed, is intended to reflect “the Church’s solemn commitment to promoting the dignity, protection, education, formation and holistic well-being of children.”

Through its parishes, schools and associations, he said that the diocesan community “will continue to raise awareness and encourage families, schools, parishes and communities to work together for the safety and development of every child.”

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Moreover, Archbishop Arshad appealed to parents, teachers, religious leaders, the media, civil society and all citizens to “acknowledge their responsibility in protecting children.”

He urged parents “to remain vigilant, build relationships of trust with their children, listen carefully and educate them about personal safety.”

‘Must report every suspected case of abuse to competent authorities’

Society, he said, “must reject silence, fear, stigma and indifference” and “must report every suspected case of abuse to the competent authorities.”

“Child safety is not just a family matter, but a national moral responsibility,” Archbishop Arshad underscored, saying, “Our beloved children deserve a society where they can live without fear, grow with dignity and look to the future with hope.”

The Pakistani Archbishop concluded by appealing to everyone, regardless of religion, to work together and contribute to the well-being of children.

(D.C.L.)