User:Arthur Charles

Rev. Father Arthur Charles

Arthur Charles is a Roman Catholic priest, known be to very effective Pastor, Newspaper Editor, a Media Person and television channel promoter from Karachi, Pakistan. Because of his initiatives in Print and Electronic Media among the Christians of Pakistan he is known as Baba-e-Mashi Media [Father of Meshi Media]

Education He received his early education from St. Bernard School which was founded and run by his father Master Charles Dewan in Landhi, Karachi. Later he studies in St. Paul's School, Saddar - Karachi. He did his Intermediate from St. Patrick's College, Saddar - Karachi and his BA from Karachi University. He received his Priestly Education and Formation from St. Pius X Minor Seminary, Karachi. He did his Philosophical and Theological Studies from Christ The King Seminary, Karachi. He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi on the Feast of St. John Mary Vianney [August 04, 1985]. Later did his Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Rome.

Career From 2005 to 2009 he served as assistant parish priest at St. Jude's Church, Karachi, Karachi.

In 2009 he is Vicar General of the Archdiocese based at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Karachi. Father Arthur Charles is professor of dogmatic theology at the Christ the King Seminary and director of the Catechetical Centre, Karachi. He is also head of the Rotti Press, one of the oldest printing press of the city, owned and managed by the Archdiocese. He has served as editor of Christian Voice, Karachi for many years.

Fr. Charles has a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology. He served as a lecturer at the National Catholic Institute of Theology in Karachi in 1998-99, where he is also founding member.

Pakistani Catholics launched Agahi (Insight), an Urdu-language weekly newspaper in December 2006. Archbishop Evarist Pinto named him Editor-in-Chief of the weekly.

Father Arthur Charles is also the CEO of Good News TV.

On August 4, 2010 Fr. Arthur Charles celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his Priesthood. A thanksgiving mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Archbishop Evarist Pinto was the main celebrant. Many faithful attended this mass. People from all walks of the life greeted him on his Silver Jubilee. A function was organized by the Archdiocese in which his father, the Chancellor Fr. Saleh Diego, and the Archbishop spoke on the occasion and highlighted his services.

As the CEO He successfully launched and running first ever Catholic FM Radio namely FM 777 media for Jesus. Its transmission is round the clock. FM 777 can be tuned as logging on www.fm777.pk

From 2014 Charles is serving as the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Parish (Karachi).

Fr. Arthur actively takes part in Jesus Caritas - Fraternity of Priests activities. He is responsible for the Asian Chapter of Jesus Caritas.

Fr. Arthur regularly participates in the FABC - Office of Theological Concerns meetings.

On Saturday, February 25,2017 Catechetical Centre launched two books written by Fr. Arthur Charles at a well-attended ceremony here, presided over by His Grace, Archbishop Emeritus Evarist Pinto and Mr. Shameem Khursheed, principal of St. Patrick’s College. Prominent priests, religious and faithful graced the occasion.'Nishanat wo ‘Alamat' [Sign and Symbols] and Ghar aur Gharaney ki Barkat [House Blessing]got overwhelming response from the book readers. Fr. Arthur's another book published earlier Lazawal Shakhsiat [Lives of the Saints] is very popular among readers.

Archbishop Evarist Pinto paid tribute to Fr. Arthur Charles on the launching his two new books. He described the priest’s contribution as Opus Magnum and his intellectual life as enormous. As a reference book for writers, researchers, artists or the insanely curious, this book provides extraordinary insights into the patterns, archetypes and symbols found throughout Holy Bible, Liturgy, art, history and modern surrounds.

A Dominican Brother Azhar Lal paid tributes to Fr. Arthur Charles and said he was the first author who is also his teacher who has written such a remarkable, illustrious and voluminous books. He is a marvellous writer and a theologian. While introducing Nishanat wo ‘Alamat he said that it gives a lot of useful information and has helped me understand the symbolism behind many things. At 460-pages with illustrations this hardcover reference book is chock full of fascinating tidbits on the origin, lore and associations of hundreds of signs and symbols.

The book on House Blessing was introduced by Mr. Anwar Daniel president of the Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic. He gave congratulatory remarks and said this book is different in that it provides a whole book full of blessings for different parts of a house and household things. It does not only give the rites of blessing but also highlights the power of prayer and blessing. He said the book remarkably contributes to academic and religious studies.

On June 22. 2017 Fr. Arthur Charles appointed the Parish Priest of St. John's Parish, Drigh Road, Karachi. St. John's Parish Drigh Road is the oldest Parish of the Archdiocese of Karachi. This Parish has recently celebrated its 75th years of establishment. Fr. Arthur Charles is not new for this parish. He has got long associations with this parish. For many years he has served here as the Assistant Parish Priest with Fr. Nazar Nawab. Fr. Arthur Charles will resume his new responsibilities as the Parish Priest on July 1st 2017.

Fr. Arthur Charles handed over the Catechetical Centre to Fr. Aamir Ashiq Bhatti in the presence of His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts on Tuesday, August 28, 2018. He served the Centre over 15 years and 4 months. This is the longest term any director has served.

His services were highly appreciated by the Cardinal and all present at the Handing over ceremony.

References Christian Voice, November 6, 2011 The Christian Voice, Karachi, September 16, 2007 "UCANews.com October 12, 1999". "Karachi Catholics to have Urdu weekly". "Daily Times 23 March 2008". "Good News TV".