Corruption and Controversy: Vatican Removes Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw Amid Serious Allegations

“The bishop threatened me. I lived under pressure but didn’t refuse my vocation. I am ashamed to admit that a homo bishop ordained me. He repeatedly pressurised me to sodomise him and threatened me with transfer and losing a chance to become a parish priest,” Alfonse alleged in the video.

The Vatican has taken decisive action by removing Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, head of the largest Catholic diocese in Pakistan, after an inquiry uncovered serious allegations of financial corruption, illegal sale of church property, and involvement in sexual abuse. Shaw, who led the Archdiocese of Lahore since 2013, had been under suspicion for some time, with complaints against him reaching the Vatican from various priests and church leaders.

Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw

Reliable sources reveal that the allegations against Shaw include the misuse of his authority to sell church property, with his family members allegedly involved in financial fraud within the Catholic Education Board. The situation escalated when a Catholic priest accused Shaw of pressuring him for a sexual relationship, a charge that gained widespread attention after the priest’s testimony was shared on social media. Despite Shaw’s attempts to maintain his position by pleading his innocence, the evidence against him was reportedly too strong to ignore. In response, the Vatican has appointed Karachi Diocesan Archbishop Benny Mario Travas as the apostolic administrator for the Lahore Diocese, marking an end to Shaw’s controversial tenure.

In a video, Father Rashid Alfonse accused Shaw of being a “homosexual bishop” and narrated graphic details of happenings during his pastoral work at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore.

“I denied. My faith and spirituality were shattered. We want to get rid of this leadership,” Alfonse had said in the viral video posted on his Facebook wall on Aug 4, 2022.

“The bishop threatened me. I lived under pressure but didn’t refuse my vocation. I am ashamed to admit that a homo bishop ordained me. He repeatedly pressurised me to sodomise him and threatened me with transfer and losing a chance to become a parish priest,” Alfonse alleged in the video.

At that time, Father Sardar, the archdiocesan vicar general, rejected the allegations levelled by the priest, instead accusing him of having an “unsound mind”.

This development has sent shockwaves through the Catholic community in Lahore, where Shaw’s removal is seen as both a relief and a long-overdue step toward accountability. However, the church leadership in Pakistan faces criticism for allegedly attempting to cover up the scandal by allowing Shaw to quietly leave under the pretext of a sabbatical. Many within the church are calling for Shaw to be held accountable for his actions, setting a precedent for transparency and justice in dealing with church leaders.

Shaw’s tenure had previously been marred by controversy, including his decision to allow a political party to use the central cathedral in Lahore for an election campaign in 2017, and his silence on critical issues such as the abuse of blasphemy laws and the abductions of underage Christian girls. This latest scandal has only added to the questions surrounding his leadership and the future of the Archdiocese of Lahore under new guidance.

News Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/vatican-removes-pakistani-archbishop-amid-allegations.html