Catholics In Pakistan

Presented by Irsa Farouqi Harris Gul Memon Hazique Gul Memon Anum Jamil Ali Nawaz

CATHOLICS IN PAKISTAN

Introduction  There are over one million Catholics in

Pakistan, which represents less than 2% of the total population.  90% of Pakistani Christians live in Punjab with 50% living in rural villages. “Less than 2% of Pakistanis are Christians,” says a 2008 CNS – Catholic News Service report

Statistics

Customs  Good Friday

Good Friday is the day that Christians around the world celebrate the death of Jesus Christ  Easter Trivia The decoration of easter eggs with traditional feast of ham.

Customs  Halloween

Many of the customs of Halloween have to do with fear of the dead. Part of belief was that one could live safely through the night by dressing up as a ghost, witch, etc., or bribing the evil spirits with treats.  Feast of All Saints The Feast of All Saints is the celebration of our relationship with those in the triumphant church - those who have preceded us in entry to heaven.

Rituals 1. I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me. 2. You shall not take the Lord your God's name in vain 3. Keep Holy the Sabbath day. 4. Thou shall not kill 5. Honor your father and mother 6. Though shall not steal 7. Though shall not commit adultery 8. Thou shall not bare false witness 9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbors wife/husband 10.Thou shall not covet thy neighbors goods

Traditions  Communion is receiving the Body and

Blood of Christ, God's Son Jesus.  They also have Reconciliation. This is where they confess their sins to a priest.  Baptism is when a child, baby, or adult enters the Catholic faith.  Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound by this may take only

Traditions

•Christmas •Annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Cuisine  The cuisine of Pakistani Catholics is

not any different from other Muslim Pakistani’s. Since they have adapted the culture, they have even built a taste for Pakistani food. The only exceptional product that they consume is the pork meat which is not available in Pakistan.  Wheat and other flour products are the mainstay of the diet, one familiar form being chapati, an unleavened bread akin to a Mexican tortilla.

Lifestyle  Pakistani society is largely

hierarchical. Urban families have grown into a nuclear family system because of the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional joint family system.  Talking about their dressing patterns, the culture has influenced the Catholics with women & men both wearing shalwar-kamez as their traditional dresses.

Education  Catholics who which to study

Christian educational system can now join in the catholic schools like St. Patrick or St. Joseph. These education centre’s are highly recognized now so Christians who wish to study in this system are allowed to do so.

Consumer Habits of Catholics in Pakistan  More or less the same as Pakistani’s.

Eg – shalwar kameez.  Food & drink interest – Pork and Wine ( but are not freely available in Pakistan)  Purchases during different occations such as Christmas and Easter.

Occupation and Vocations  They are under the poverty line or at

the working class.  Occupations include – plumbers, carpenters, Hair dressers, mechanics, electricians etc.  Only few belong in the middle and upper class which work in consulates and Airlines.  Very few of them are formally educated and work as teachers, pilots

5 cultural Dimensions  Low vs High Power Distance

Catholics in Pakistan are high in power distance which means that the less powerful accept power relations that are more autocratic. Subordinates acknowledge the power of others simply based on where they are situated in certain formal, hierarchical positions.  Individualism vs Collectivism Catholics fall in the collectivist category since it follows the Pakistani culture which emphasizes on joint family

5 Dimensions (contd.)  Masculinity vs Feminity

Catholics or Pakistani culture in general are considered to be a masculine in nature as they possess wealth and believe in domination through power and rigidity, but at the same time they do reflect a feminine culture as they don’t strive for better but rather just work to earn money.  Uncertainty Avoidance They try to avoid uncertainty on the philosophical and religious level by a belief in absolute Truth; 'there can only be one Truth and we have it'.

Contd.  Long vs short-term orientation

Catholics in Pakistan value social responsibility and therefore live by traditions and rituals that have been followed since their ancestors. Their lifestyle is ‘laid back’ and they do not accept the change that easily.