(ANS – Vatican City) – On 9 July 2026, the volume of the Positio super martyrio of the Servant of God Akash Bashir, a young Pakistani man and former Past Pupil of Don Bosco, was submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican.

The Positio was prepared under the supervision of Rev. Angelo Romano as Rapporteur, Rev. Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, as Postulator, and Dr Matteo Penati as Collaborator. The structural elements of the Positio – which presents, in a detailed and comprehensive manner, the entire body of documentary and testimonial evidence concerning the life, martyrdom and reputation for martyrdom of the Servant of God – are: a brief introduction by the Rapporteur; the Informatio super martyrio, that is, the theological section in which the material and formal martyrdom of the Servant of God is demonstrated; the two Summaria containing testimonial and documentary evidence; and the final sections and the iconographic material.

Following its submission, the Positio will be examined by the Theological Consultors of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. It will then be studied by the Cardinals and Bishops: these detailed stages of study and evaluation will enable the Supreme Pontiff, should the outcome be favourable, to promulgate the Decree on the martyrdom of the Servant of God.

The Servant of God Akash Bashir, a young Pakistani man killed on 15 March 2015, is a highly topical figure, given the situation faced by Christians in his country and, more generally, in many areas affected by Islamist terrorism. This Positio aims to present the story of Akash Bashir as that of a Christian martyr killed out of hatred for the faith by Islamist terrorists.

The Positio super martyrio of Akash Bashir concerns a very recent event: a young Christian killed in an attack intended to kill dozens of people, which, thanks to his voluntary service and sacrifice, failed almost entirely in its aim. It is a story well known in Pakistan and around the world, and has cast a sympathetic light on Pakistani Christians and their difficult situation, showing how a son of that Church was able to bear witness to great serenity and fortitude of spirit, with Christian simplicity and humility. His story is of great interest not only to the Church in Pakistan, but certainly to all areas where Christians face the threats of Islamist terrorism, which seeks to subjugate through terror those who do not adhere to its ideology of violence and death.

Akash Bashir’s reputation as a martyr is well-established and deeply rooted in the memory of Pakistan’s Christian community. From the funeral, held jointly with the other victims of the two simultaneous attacks, Akash emerges as a figure with a distinctive quality, stemming from his explicit exposure to the possibility of martyrdom, which was the result of his choice to carry out voluntary guard duty. Numerous testimonies describe a widespread and enduring reputation for martyrdom, also present in various media, which has crossed Pakistan’s borders to make the Servant of God known in various countries around the world. This reputation for martyrdom is accompanied by a documented reputation for signs.

A rather unique aspect of Akash Bashir’s story is its ecumenical significance. The Servant of God died alongside other victims, both Catholic and Anglican, and his story is remembered by both communities for its distinctive characteristics: he was a young man who particularly exposed himself to martyrdom out of love for his Church. The ecumenical funeral for the victims was also a sign of unity amongst Pakistani Christians, transcending denominational divisions. His witness, therefore, is regarded by all Pakistani Christians as something of the utmost importance, as has also been acknowledged by authoritative voices within the Anglican world.