Blessings bestowed: Celebrating the monument to Christ the King

"The monument is a reminder of what Karachi was and what Karachi can be," said Archbishop Coutts.

KARACHI:

The Christ the King Monument in Karachi was reconsecrated on Sunday by His Excellency, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, apostolic nuncio to Pakistan, after renovations to restore the monument to its former glory were completed. 

The Archbishop of Karachi, the Most Reverend Joseph Coutts, said that the monument is a shining symbol of the ideals that, years ago, made Karachi a city where people from all corners of the subcontinent lived peacefully. “The monument is a reminder of what Karachi was and what Karachi can be. It is more than just a Christian monument,” said Archbishop Coutts.

In 1925, Pope Pius IX initiated the Feast of Christ the King and in 1927, the local branch of the Apostleship of Prayer conceived the idea of erecting a monument that would be a striking manifestation of the devotion to Christ the King. The Catholics of Karachi and surrounding areas formed a General Board, comprising 26 members. The monument was designed by M X Andrade and the marble was imported from Carrara, Italy. It was completed and blessed in 1931.

The monument suffered structural and other damages over the past 82 years due to pollution and general wear and tear. Its renovation was overseen by the NED University’s department of planning and architecture. The apostolic nuncio Edgar Pena Parra and Archbishop Coutts along with several members of the clergy, concelebrated the Mass during which the monument was blessed. A large number of Catholics attended the solemn occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2013.