Cardinal Joseph Coutts, the Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi, has received the “Tamgha-i-Imtiaz” Medal of Excellence from the President of Pakistan. This award honors his efforts in promoting interreligious dialogue, social welfare, and protecting the rights of minorities in the country.
The award ceremony took place on March 23 in Islamabad. Cardinal Coutts was honoured for his long service in areas like healthcare, education, charity, and social unity. His work has helped people of all backgrounds in Pakistan.
President Ali Zardari praised Cardinal Coutts, calling him an inspiration for all Pakistanis. He highlighted the Cardinal’s dedication to peace and harmony among different religious communities.
Currently, Cardinal Coutts leads the Christian Studies Center in Rawalpindi. This well-known center has promoted interfaith dialogue and social unity for over 50 years.
Cardinal Joseph Coutts was born in 1945 and became a priest in 1971. He served in various roles, including Bishop of Hyderabad and Faisalabad, before becoming the Archbishop of Karachi in 2012. In 2018, Pope Francis made him a Cardinal. He retired as Archbishop in 2021.
The Medal of Excellence is given to both Pakistani and foreign citizens who have greatly contributed to the nation. Cardinal Coutts’s recognition highlights his lifelong efforts to bring people together and improve society in Pakistan.
Source: Agenzia Fides
