When we speak of God's providence, we are well aware that we are only weak creatures doing our duty. In the spirit of the Gospel we try to follow God's call and to say with Mary, the mother of Jesus: “Let it be to me according to your word.” And further: “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” This is how we understand our service, wanting to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who also says: “As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.”
This website is dedicated to Bishop Dr Andrew Francis (born 29 November 1946 in Adah, Pakistan; died 6 June 2017), the founder of Anthony's Foundation – Antoniushilfe. In gratitude for his work on earth and mindful of his spiritual legacy, we continue this help for the poor.
Why this initiative
Coronavirus changed everything! Perhaps you have heard this said, or experienced it yourself – mostly not for the better. Many people saw their lives change drastically: through the loss of work or home, through illness or the death of people who had been at their side. Yet we should know: we are not alone. There is one to whom we are not indifferent and who loves us – especially in times like these.
Prayer changes things
Many people have experienced this: prayer changes not only situations, but also us. Have you ever experienced this? Then let me tell you the story of Antoniushilfe – or, as it was originally called in English: Anthony's Foundation.
A call from Lahore
I look at my mobile phone in surprise: a call from Anthony? Until then we had been in touch almost only in writing – after all, Anthony lives 7,500 km away. “Hello Sir, how are you?” comes the voice over WhatsApp. “How are you?” I reply. Anthony: “Sir, I'm not well. It's pure horror here. They are locking us in; I haven't left my room for six weeks. Soldiers and police everywhere, all the shops are closed, only the pharmacies are open. The market opens only every two weeks to buy food.”
“Sir, can you help me? The children have nothing left to eat.”
“The university is closed too, I can't continue my studies, I'm desperate! People right in my neighbourhood have coronavirus. Sir, what can I do? I'm afraid of catching it.” Anthony seems completely desperate, and I try to calm him down, which I manage after a few encouraging words.
Who is Anthony?
Anthony Javed was then a 26-year-old law student from Lahore, Pakistan. We met through Bishop Andrew Francis, whom I had known since the 1990s through a long-standing friend, Father Burkhard Nogga. For many years Bishop Andrew Francis was the bishop to whom Father Burkhard Nogga reported, and we shared a deep friendship with him. Sadly, after a long period of suffering, the bishop died from the effects of a serious car accident that was very probably caused by his opponents.
Bishop Dr Andrew Francis
Anthony knew Bishop Andrew very well too – he loved him like a father, and in a way the bishop was one to him. The bishop told him: “Your task is to help the children of the street. For that you must become a lawyer and study law. It is a hard path, but it is your calling, and this is how you will best be able to help the children of the street.”
And so it happened. At the bishop's bidding Anthony studied law and recognised it as his path; with the bishop's help he was able to pay for his expensive studies. Alongside, he cared for the street children of Lahore, who had been close to his heart since his youth. Many of these children live entirely on their own on the streets of Lahore and in the slums. Most are orphans, and nobody feels responsible for them. They quickly fall into crime and drugs, and not a few starve or die of illness.
Founded shortly before the bishop's death
“This project was started in 2016 by Bishop Dr Andrew Francis. I was allowed to be part of it. After the bishop's death on 6 June 2017 I did not stop it, but immediately began raising money for my children. Back then I had 8 children; now there are 45. I give them free food, free schooling, books and clothing, and I teach them the faith.” – Anthony Javed
Today there are 116 children (as of January 2024). Anthony sees the bishop's mission as the task of his life: to help these children – in daily life, with medical care and not least with legal representation. A mammoth task for a law student!
Coronavirus changed everything
Anthony does not give up easily. Even after the bishop's death he saw his task clearly and kept caring for the street children of Lahore. Then came a situation no one could have foreseen: coronavirus. The pandemic called everything into question – especially for the poorest of the poor, among them Anthony's children. He described their situation to me as dramatic and, in his distress, asked me for help.
“Sir, the children are suffering as never before. Nobody looks after them; everyone is afraid of infection. The children have no food and no protection from the virus. We are all desperate – please help us!”
The bishop, a man of God and a friend of people
Since I too had known Bishop Andrew, we understood this situation as a wake-up call from heaven – you could also say an initiative of the bishop from heaven, who had united us through the experience of God's love while he was still among us. We feel bound by this call. Following the love for the poor that Bishop Andrew taught us, we too want to serve the poor and ease their suffering so that they can lead a life of dignity, as God wills.
“As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Remembering these words of Jesus, we want to serve those who are poor and hungry – not only with material help, but by bringing them the message of God's love that has touched us and touches us again and again. So we invite you, through your support, to share in this love of God, knowing that what we are willing to give also comes back to us. We reap what we sow – not that we expect it, but we know that God is good and just, and he sees even the small things we do.
Dobel, 13 June 2020 (feast of St Anthony of Padua) – Reiner Wettcke