The channel — a first for the archdiocese — has been on the air since Christmas but on Tuesday began its regular transmission, as the nation celebrated Pakistan Day. Church officials and local celebrities, politicians and media personalities were on hand for a celebratory event.
Archbishop Evarist Pinto congratulated the team and affirmed that «we cannot ignore media. In this age of media the Lord has given us this opportunity to make his message known to everyone.”
“We have served the nation through our institutes,” he added, “and have proved that we serve with a difference, total dedication, love and sincerity. Through this new venture we wish to do the same. We want to bring about love, harmony and brotherhood. Yes! We have Good News. We have the message of Jesus Christ our Lord which is for everyone and we want to spread that so that people will learn to live in harmony.»
Pakistan is almost entirely Muslim, with Christians, Hindus and other minorities making up only 5% of the population. There are about 151,000 Catholics in the Archdiocese of Karachi.
Father Arthur Charles founded the Good News channel with the aim of making it available to every home in Pakistan.
«I am doing the work of the Lord according to the demands of the day,» he said. «Our archdiocese is taking advantage of global technology to launch out to the world with the message of Jesus, through this satellite television station.»
