Sumon Corraya

Since 2010, 1 January has become the day of the Book Distribution Festival with activities across the country. Some 300 million books were given to more than 38 million school children. The day symbolises the country’s commitment to literacy, which now stands at 74.1 per cent of the population.

Celebrations transcended boundaries of faiths in an atmosphere of forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation. A Muslim shared songs and food, as his Christian friend did earlier for the Islamic holiday of Eid. Official mentions the role played in local development by PIME missionaries, still remembered with affection by the community.

US-born Mgr Kevin Rondall arrived in the country at the end of November and presented his credentials to the president on 7 December. At the weekend, the first Mass was celebrated together with the archbishop of the capital. In his homily, the Vatican representative recalled his commitment to the needy and the importance of dialogue in a nation with a Muslim majority.

The holidays have long been a time of tension and risk of attacks. A situation exacerbated by the upcoming general elections on 7 January, boycotted by the main opposition party. Police and intelligence ensure great vigilance. A report shows a peak of politically motivated violence in 2023.

Police believe the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army is carrying out a new round of killings to assert its dominance in the refugee camps where more than 1.2 million Rohingya live.

The new priests, who belong to the Oraon tribal community, stressed the importance of the presence of PIME missionaries for their vocation. The ordination, led by Bishop Sebastian Tudu, took place last Friday at the Cathedral of St Francis Xavier.

The 35th World AIDS Day, established in 1988 by the WHO, is being celebrated worldwide on 1 December. The Ministry of Health in Dhaka has implemented several programmes to tackle the rise in infections still due to the stigma attached to the disease. The complaint of Caritas Bangladesh: many avoid treatment and international funds have been cut.Bangladesh: record number of HIV infections

The Mirpur Agricultural Workshop and Training School celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since it was founded, it has offered opportunities to more than 48,000 young people. “We provide quality technical education to needy and marginalised people, operating in accordance with the values of Jesus Christ,” said Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze of Dhaka.

Bangladesh is facing the worst dengue outbreak in its history with hospitals overwhelmed and more than 1,500 deaths this year. No “dengue patients have died during treatment” at St. John Vianney Hospital, which opened in the capital in 2019. “We encourage patients to receive treatment,” said the hospital director, Fr Kamal Corraya, who also noted that the quality care is for everyone.

The announcement of the election round in early 2024, however, does not quell political and social tensions in Bangladesh. Since the end of October, 160 cars, party headquarters and police stations have been burnt down, including several deaths

Over 200 youth, together with dozens of priests and nuns, celebrated the silver jubilee of the Episcopal Youth Commission of the local Church. An occasion to take stock of the training courses and seminars offered and to relaunch youth work in Bangladesh

Singers and a flock of boats received Bishop Emmanuel Kanon Rozario in the village of Lakhanda, Mandaripur region. On his first pastoral visit, the prelate fostered an atmosphere of reconciliation and promised to take action to renovate the village church and fix the road.