The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh celebrated its 50th anniversary last week in a celebration held in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Friday, May 27.
In a message, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, lauded Bangladesh’s Church leaders.
“Despite your tiny presence in the country, you are also greatly serving numerous educational and health sectors throughout the nation,” he said.
“This special occasion is a fitting moment to have a glance at the past with gratefulness to God for everything that has been achieved,” said Cardinal Tagle.
He reminded Catholics in Bangladesh that the jubilee “is not only a time to appreciate what has happened, but is also an opportunity to reflect on the present pastoral challenges and plan for the future.”
“Bangladesh has been one of the success stories in recent times of harmony, human development, economic opportunities, and natural disaster management,” read a message from Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
The bishops’ conference in Bangladesh was established in 1971 and marked its 50th year last year, but the celebrations were postponed due to the pandemic.
“I thank God for this special day, and I am happy to be here in this historic occasion,” said Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka, president of the bishops’ conference.
He said the country’s Church leaders are “determined and committed to transforming our Church into a synodal Church.”
He described the golden jubilee of the conference as “a historic moment for the Church.”
Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi, vice president of the conference, gave thanks to God for all the “achievements and impacts” of the Church in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s Catholic bishops’ conference was established to facilitate common policy and action in matters that affect or are liable to affect the interest of the Catholic Church in the country. Prior to the establishment of Bangladesh, the bishops of Bangladesh were members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan.
