The Oblates of Mary Immaculate are a Roman Catholic religious order for men. The order was founded on January 25, 1816 by Father Eugene de Mazenod to preach missions in Provencal, France.[1]
The mission in Pakistan was started in Karachi in 1973 by OMI missionaries coming from the Sri Lanka OMI province. The 15 OMI in Pakistan in 2006 included 3 local men, 3 each from Poland, Austria and Canada and 2 from Indonesia. The Oblates also have a community in the Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta.
Fr. Victor Gnanapragasam OMI, was appointed the First Apostolic Prefect Of Quetta in December 2001.[2]
The Religious in Pakistan work to promote peace and harmony, inter-religious dialogue, human development with programmes of assistance and development and education, as well as pastoral and missionary work.[3]
In 2009 the number had grown to 23 Oblates including 5 ordinations.[4]
On 29 April 2010 Pope Benedict XVI elevated the Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta to the rank of Apostolic vicariate. He appointed Fr. Victor Gnanapragasam OMI as apostolic vicar of the new ecclesiastical circumscription and the titular bishop of Timida.[5]