1 Million Signature Campaign
1 million signature campaign to declare Bishop Dr. John Joseph of Faisalabad, Pakistan as a martyr of the church for his lifelong struggle for social justice and human rights till the sacrifice of his own life.
The celebration of the 25th martyrdom anniversary of
Dr. Bishop John Joseph
The theme of the Good Shepherd laying down his life for his Sheep was very dear to Dr. Bishop John Joseph of Faisalabad, Pakistan. In his frame of time the time had come for the sacrifice. The human rights fighter and most respected leader of the Christians and Interfaith community in Pakistan, gave his life to raise his voice very loud for the voiceless.
His extra ordinary form of protest shocked and moved the people all over. Dr. Bishop John Joseph became an icon of sacrifice and struggle for the rights of the unprivileged and downtrodden.
Resolution
Resolution dated May 6,2023
On May 6, 2023, the 25th anniversary of martyr Dr. Bishop John Joseph, Bishop of Faisalabad, Pakistan sacrificing his life for basic human rights was celebrated at Community Hall Holy Rosary Church Warispura Faisalabad. On this occasion, Bishop Dr. John Joseph Shaheed Trust Pakistan(Regd) organized a conference in which intellectuals, lawyers, political, religious leaders and a large number of interfaith community participated. More than fifteen hundred participants were present.With their unanimous opinion, the following resolution was passed.
Resolution 1
This forum requests His Excellency Cardinal Joseph Coutts and his excellency Archbishop Joseph Arshad chairman of Bishop Conference Pakistan. That every year on 6th of May in all the churches of Pakistan, sacrifice of Holy Mass be offered in the memory of Dr. Bishop John Joseph's sacrifice . And this date be included in the Pakistani Liturgical calendar.
Resolution 2
This forum calls upon His Holiness Pope Francis to pay close attention to Dr. Bishop John Joseph's long struggle for justice for the poor and innocent Voice less people. consider his tough situation and context of his struggle. Looking at his unprecedented timely sacrifice and declare him as a Martyr.
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About
The first native Pakistani Bishop, Dr John Joseph was known to be an extraordinary man. In the first place, he was dedicated and stood up for the rights of the downtrodden.
John Joseph (15 November 1932 – 6 May 1998) was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Faisalabad from 1984–1998 and is best known for sacrifice his life to protest the cruel treatment of Christians in Pakistan.
John Joseph was born in Khushpur, Pakistan. He received his religious education at the Christ the King Seminary in Karachi and was ordained in Faisalabad on 18 January 1960. After completing a doctorate he went on to serve on the faculty of the Christ the King Seminary.
On 24 October 1980 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Faisalabad and ordained Bishop on 9 January 1981. On 9 January 1984 he became Bishop of Faisalabad.
He Sacrifice himself on 6 May 1998, in protest at the execution of a Christian man on trumped up blasphemy charges in Pakistan.
