Founded in 1946, the Bottomley Home Orphanage is now run by the Associates of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and houses 152 girls. For its director, the facility provides an education thanks to the good heart of local donors.
The education minister announced gradual school reopening after the COVID-19 emergency starting 12 September. For Catholic principal in Gazipur, this is the right decision, but “we don’t have a lot of space or teachers”.
The work of the seven priests of Don Bosco who arrived in Bangladesh in 2009 is bearing its first fruits. “We also teach children from other faiths,” said Salesian coordinator Fr Alencherry. So far, “we have never received any threats from Islamic extremists”. The first local Salesian will be ordained in the near future.
Mohi Uddin's body was moved to a Baptist church in Chattogram. For years, Rohingya Christians and Muslims were buried together in the Kutupalong refugee camp. At least, 200 Christian families fear persecution.
Yesterday, a ferry boat and a sand trawler collided on the Laiska river. There are still several people missing and at least 30 injured. The district authority has already opened an investigation. Every year in Bangladesh hundreds of people die in boat accidents.
The nun was returning to the convent. The man who stole her bag injured her eye. The episode adds to discrimination and violence against Bangladeshi Christians.
In Bangladesh several militant Islamist groups had participated in the fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan, now in Kabul history is likely to repeat itself. Human rights activists lobby for non-recognition of the Taliban government. Foreign Minister: we will not accept refugees, we already host one million Rohingya.
The PIME missionary was moved to the capital, but died from complications due to COVID-19 and age. He is remembered for creating credit unions, and bringing socio-economic development to the Diocese of Dinajpur, in the north of the country. Five PIME missionaries have contracted the viral disease.
Parishes celebrated a special Holy Mass. For Fr Belisario, PIME missionary, Catholics must follow “his ideal life”. The saint transformed people's lives with his simplicity. He is a source of inspiration for priests and nuns who take care of the faithful and orphans in Bangladesh.
The group of radicals damaged the brick and tin-roofed building and made threats against the 50 members of the Bangladesh Tribal Baptist Church in order to get them to return to Buddhism.
The Notre Dame School and College opened a few days ago in Sreemangal parish. Holy Cross Fathers will run the facility. They already take care of other schools in the capital. For principal Fr Placid Proshanta Rozario, now “needy students can study here instead of going to Dhaka.”
Bishop Shorot Francis Gomes takes over a diocese created by Benedict XVI in 2011 that is home to tribal people employed in tea plantations. Interfaith dialogue, participation of the laity in Church activities, and growth of religious vocations are the new pastor’s priorities.
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