by Sumon Corraya

Lawrence Murmu, 67, serves the Diocese of Rajshahi. He began to preach in remote areas during the country’s War of Independence from Pakistan. "I never start talking about Jesus Christ with these people,” but he becomes their friends first. In 50 years, thanks to catechists, literacy among Santal has gone from 3 to 75 per cent. As “80 per cent of Santal want to be baptised,” the Church always stand by them.

Rajshahi (AsiaNews) – During Bangladesh’s War of Independence from Pakistan (1971), "PIME Father Manchar and I saved many lives, giving shelter in the church to people fleeing the Pakistani army,” said Lawrence Murmu, a 67-year-old ethnic Santal Catholic.

Since then, he has had many memorable moments in his long career as a catechist. Yet, "I did not want to become a catechist,” he said. “I wanted to go to university but my parents could not afford the fees, so I took a course to become a catechist, which is what I have been ever since."

Lawrence works in the Diocese of Rajshahi, whose main city is on the Ganges along the western border with India. At the beginning, his mission was not easy. "When I began to preach God’s message I realised I was not a good catechist,” Lawrence noted.

“The man who taught me was old and capable, but I felt ashamed and wanted to quit. I was not as good as he was at singing hymns. Still I kept at it and in the end my heart won the faith."

His work as a catechist consists of “40 minutes lessons in the evening, because the people I teach are very poor and very tired after a day's work."

During his 46 years of activity, Lawrence was sent into various parishes, even in places where no one had ever heard of Jesus.

"I never start talking about Jesus Christ with these people,” he explained, “but when I go into a new village I try to mingle with them to build a friendship. I build a healthy relationship with village leaders. We discuss socio-economic problems.”

During this phase, “I give advice to overcome difficulties. I push them to create microcredit cooperatives to help themselves. I speak to people of different faiths. I encourage them on the issues of education and social awareness. Only after do I begin to communicate God’s message."

In the Diocese of Rajshahi, which this year celebrates 25 years since its founding, about 300 catechists are needed. At present, only 23 (including Lawrence) work full time. Locals hold them in high regard though.

“In the area, catechists have a vital role to pay,” Lawrence said. “They bring new faithful and establish new parishes because priests often cannot travel to remote areas, whereas we spend our lives in remote villages."

Over the years, catechists’ work bore fruit, especially among tribal Santal. "Because of our commitment to education, we increased literacy from 3 to 75 per cent in 46 years. In addition, 80 per cent of Santal want to be baptised.”

However, “Even after they are baptised, they need constant pastoral care to avoid getting lost. The Church must act soon on this."

Lawrence risked his life for his work. "One night I found myself facing several robbers,” he said. “That night a man was killed but I managed to escape. I think Almighty God saved me."

• bangladesh
• catechist
• sandal
• tribal
• lawrence
• murmu