Pakistan: Young man who died protecting others, on road to sainthood

Akash Bashir - Image Salesians

Source: Vatican News/UCAN

The Catholic Church of Pakistan has its first official candidate to sainthood and martyrdom - a young victim of a suicide bombing who prevented an even larger massacre.

Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore announced that the Vatican has accepted the cause of Akash Bashir's martyrdom, on the feast of St John Bosco, UCA News reported.

Akash Bashir now has the title 'Servant of God' as a candidate at the beginning of the sainthood process at the diocesan level.

Vicar General of the archdiocese of Lahore, Father Francis Gulzar, said: "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. 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.

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 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar (TTP-JA), killed 17 people and injured more than 70.

Akash, a former student of the Don Bosco Technical Institute, who served as a volunteer security guard, prevented a suicide bomber from entering the 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 two others outside the church packed with over 1,000 faithful, thus preventing a large-scale carnage.

Pope Francis was quick to denounce the terror attacks. Speaking during the Angelus with pilgrims later that day he said: "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..... Christians are being persecuted. Our brothers and sisters are spilling their blood solely because they are Christians. 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."

Some 40 Christians were later jailed following the lynching of two Muslims who were suspected of being involved in the attacks.

The funeral of Akash Bashir and others was held on 17 March 2015. Akash's father, Bashir Emmanuel, said at the time that his son had always aspired to be a great man. "His mother once asked him to stop standing at the church's gate. He replied that he wanted to make people safer and did not care for his own life."

On hearing about the latest news about his son, Bashir Emmanuel said: "Akash symbolises the strength of the Christian faith in our country. I pray for the clearance of all steps to sainthood."

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."