Dinajpur (AsiaNews) – Both 'mystic and missionary', John Paul II was also able to touch the heart of non Christians.

Fr Francesco Rapacioli, PIME missionary in Dinajpur (northern Bangladesh), told AsiaNews how surprised Bangladesh's tiny Catholic community when the government of the predominantly Muslin nation declared a day of national mourning in honour of Pope John Paul II.

"For us Catholics, it was a great sign of respect," Father Rapacioli. "The government's tribute to the Pontiff was proof of how far his message had reached".

"It is the first time in this country that flags are flown at half mast for a Christian religious leader", he added.

Equally significant is the fact that many Muslims called Catholic friends to express their condolences.

In Bangladesh, Catholics are but 0.3 per cent of the population, whilst Muslims are 85 per cent; never the less, the missionary explained, the news of the death of the Pope resonated throughout the country, going beyond the Catholic community.

"Local media widely covered the event and Muslim intellectuals spoke in the local press about the Pope with great respect," Father Rapacioli said.

Today in the diocese of Rajshahi, the Bishop, Mgr Paulinus Costa, celebrated a mass for the soul of the Pontiff. In many parishes around the country, well-attended adoration ceremonies have been held since Sunday and people have been spontaneously gathering, improvising prayer vigils.

The PIME missionary could not avoid reflecting about John Paul II's work in favour of Christian minorities in countries where inter-religious coexistence can be difficult.

"By opposing war, he did something very important for Christians and missionaries in Muslim countries," Father Rapacioli said.

"His stance defused the so-called 'clash of civilisations', helped avoid equating the West with Christians and assisted us in continuing our mission".

"His message of reconciliation," the missionary noted, "must continue to be the set goal, especially for the Church in developing and Asian countries."

He praised the Pope's 'constant effort' in promoting peace, not only seen as the absence of war, but also as the consequence of justice, respect and protection for the poor and the weak".

For the PIME missionary, the Pope's "focus on the central role played by mission in a spirit of reconciliation and ecumenism vis-à-vis other religions and other Christian denominations is a legacy that we must not lose".

"The Pope," he stressed, "left us an awareness that evangelisation must be done through dialogue. In doing this, he was able to accomplish what others could not."

In addition, "only as a united community can Christians announce the Gospel and with his trips the Pope cut back the distance between Christians in far away countries like Bangladesh and the centre of the Catholic Church: the Vatican." (MA)