Faisalabad, Pakistan – In an important development, Naveed Thomas, a Catholic priest previously suspended over allegations of rape and exploitation, was arrested today, 31st August 2024, after his interim bail was canceled. The arrest comes after a second First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him for threatening to kill the Bishop of Faisalabad, Indris Rehmat.

A Developing Story: Arrest After Threats to Bishop

The case took a darker turn when Naveed Thomas began threatening the girl, her family, and even the Bishop of Faisalabad, Indris Rehmat. On 14th August 2024, security guards at the Bishop’s residence filed an FIR (bearing number 614/24) after Naveed Thomas forcibly entered the premises with a gun, threatening the Bishop with dire consequences.

Today, on 31st August 2024, Naveed Thomas was arrested from the courtroom after his interim bail was canceled. This marks a critical point in the ongoing legal battle, as the authorities finally acted against the suspended priest, who now faces charges not only of rape and blackmail but also of threatening the life of a senior church official.

Background: A Shocking Betrayal of Trust

The troubling saga began in December 2023, when a 19-year-old Catholic girl from a small village in Faisalabad accused Father Naveed Thomas of sexual assault. The girl, a student of Intermediate in Computer Science (ICS), belonged to a devout Catholic family. Her father, Zulfiqar Bahadur, is a laborer who, like many others in Pakistan’s Christian community, held the church and its clergy in high regard.

Father Naveed, exploiting this trust, offered to arrange for the girl’s education in the city, convincing her parents to let her stay at St. Pius X parish. Believing that their daughter would be safe under the church’s care, her parents agreed. However, what followed was a nightmare.

The Horrific Abuse:

On 13th December 2023, Father Naveed, accompanied by church elder Elvin Masih, took the girl to the parish in Chak Jhumra, where he enrolled her in an educational academy. He then took her to a room on the parish premises and raped her, threatening to kill her if she revealed what had happened. The priest also recorded videos of the assault, further threatening to release them online if she spoke out.

This abuse continued for over a month until the girl became pregnant. Father Naveed then arranged for an abortion with the assistance of a nurse named Zarina, violating the sanctity of the priesthood and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The ordeal only came to light when the girl escaped in February 2024 and confided in her family.

Despite the family’s pleas, neither the church nor the police took immediate action against Naveed Thomas. The church suspended him in February 2024, but no legal action was pursued until the girl’s father filed a complaint in June 2024, leading to an FIR being registered. Yet, the police did not arrest Naveed Thomas, who managed to secure pre-arrest bail on 25th June.

The Path Ahead:

This case highlights the severe challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, where social and institutional support is often lacking. The girl’s story is a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by women and girls, especially within marginalized communities. As the legal process unfolds, the Christian community in Faisalabad—and indeed, across Pakistan—will watch closely, hoping for justice and restoring trust in their religious institutions.

Naveed Thomas’s arrest may bring hope to the victim and her family. Still, it raises serious questions about the church’s handling of such grave allegations and protecting vulnerable individuals.

Our Organization’s Support and Call to Action:

Following the harrowing nightmare and subsequent threats, the girl’s family was under immense pressure to reconcile. The situation became so dire that they were forced to flee their village, leaving behind their home. Recognizing the urgent need for protection and support, our organization, the Emergency Committee to Save the Persecuted and Enslaved (ECSPE), has stepped in to provide shelter for the family.

We are currently housing them securely, away from potential harm and intimidation. Our legal team is actively working to quash the pre-arrest bail of Naveed Thomas and his accomplices, ensuring that justice is served and that those abusing their position within the Church are held accountable.