KARACHI: The St Anthony’s Parish Church on Sunday wore a ceremonial look as it celebrated the 95th birthday of Reverend Father Melito Dias, the oldest priest in Pakistan.

The church doors were decorated with ribbons and flowers along with the significant number ‘95’. Pretty little bunches on white roses tied with green ribbons decorated each row of the aisle seats. There were little decorative lights above along with golden foil balloons spelling out the great occasion.

As the church bells rang for the 9am mass, all those who had come to wish Father Dias a happy birthday lined up along the red carpet to shower rose petals in his path. Though he had arrived in a wheelchair, Father Dias, in flowing green robes, refused to sit in it for long and walked to the church and inside right up to the altar with the help of his walker as the church choir sang happy songs in the background.

On the way, he also stopped occasionally to greet and joke with his well wishers. Walking ahead of him was Fr Arthur Charles, the parish priest, and walking behind the birthday boy was Archbishop Benny Travas, the Bishop of Karachi, who also presided over the mass.

Archbishop Benny Travas also wished the most senior priest in the archdiocese a very happy birthday indeed. “I am proud to also have worked under him,” he said.

“Fr Dias is always humble, holy and concerned about all the priests in the archdiocese. I pray he receives the Lord’s blessings,” he added.

Maria Soares, who did several scripture readings during the special Sunday mass and who also shares her birthday with Fr Dias, also congratulated the senior priest and prayed that he would enjoy many more happy years with them.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2022