Church in Lahore protests ruling in minor conversion case

The Catholic Church in Lahore has strongly objected to a recent court ruling involving a minor Christian girl, calling it a “grave failure of justice” and raising concerns over the protection of minority children in Pakistan.

In a statement, Archbishop Khalid Rehmat said the decision appeared to legitimise the marriage of a minor under circumstances involving allegations of abduction and forced religious conversion, causing “deep anguish” within the community.

Concerns over consent and protection

The Archdiocese of Lahore stated that the case involved a minor girl, identified as Maria, where allegations included abduction and conversion without free consent.

The Church emphasised that the absence of clear consent makes the marriage deeply troubling and raises broader concerns about the safety and rights of vulnerable girls.

Questions over legal safeguards

The statement noted that the ruling could weaken protections for minority children and appears inconsistent with Pakistan’s legal framework, which sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 years, as well as international human rights commitments.

It highlighted issues such as forced conversions, underage marriages, and lack of consent as serious violations of constitutional and fundamental rights.

Call for review and accountability

The Church has urged authorities to review the court’s decision and conduct a transparent investigation into the case. It also called for accountability for those involved and stronger safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Appealing to the judiciary, government, and civil society, the statement stressed that protecting children is both a legal and moral obligation.

Continued advocacy for child rights

Reaffirming its position, the Archdiocese said it would continue to advocate for the rights and safety of all children, particularly those from minority communities.

The case has added to growing concerns among rights groups over the protection of underage girls in Pakistan, especially in cases involving religion, consent, and marriage.