A Catholic archbishop in Pakistan is at the centre of allegations of sexual and financial irregularities.

Most Rev Sebastian Shaw is Archbishop of Lahore in Punjab in which Christians make up just over one per cent of the population of 241 million. However, 80 per cent of all Christians in Pakistan live in Punjab.

Last month aChristian-run YouTube channel 'National News Nam' reported Shaw’s imminent suspension and said he would be settling in the United States. It claimed there had been complaints to the Pope about “corruption and dishonesty”.

In August 2022, a Catholic priest suspended by Shaw accused him of homosexuality in a video message posted on social media.

Aftab Alexander Mughal, the editor of Minority Concern Pakistan told Crux the rumours were harmful for the nation’s small Christian community.

“It is unfortunate that there are moral allegations against a church leader. In an Islamic society, it is not good for the church’s moral position. Despite this sad current incident, church will keep serving the people of faith and also keep raising voice for the rights of Pakistani Christians.”

Lahore’s Vicar General Father Asif Sardar said Archbishop Shaw was going on a sabbatical and urged Christians to pray for him.

The Vatican has replaced with an apostolic administrator.