Leading Pakistani prelate transferred to far smaller jurisdiction

March 11, 2026

Pope Leo XIV transferred Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, OFM, of Lahore, Pakistan’s most populous archdiocese, to the Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta, the nation’s smallest ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

The Pontiff also named the vicar apostolic of Quetta, Bishop Khalid Rehmat, OFM Cap, as the new archbishop of Lahore.

In 2024, Archbishop Shaw was placed on sabbatical amid allegations of sexual abuse and fraud. Archbishop Benny Mario Travas of Karachi has served as Lahore’s apostolic administrator for the past two years. AsiaNews reported that Pope Leo “found the accusations against the prelate [Archbishop Shaw] to be unfounded, but also noted the need for change to remedy the climate that had arisen in the Archdiocese of Lahore.”

 

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Further information:

• Resignations and Appointments, 10.03.2026 (Holy See Press Office, 3/10/26)
• Leading Pakistani prelate placed on ‘sabbatical’ after allegations of abuse, fraud (CWN, 8/19/24)