Sumon Corraya

In Bangladesh there is a small Catholic community with 500,000 faithful. In 2020, 26 deacons became priests. It is the highest number in the history of the Catholic Church in Bangladesh.

June 3 was the 20th anniversary of the bombing of the church of the Most Holy Redeemer which killed 10 and wounded over 50. "It's been 20 years, but we still have not obtained justice. We express anger, dissatisfaction and anxiety."

Flooding caused by Cyclone Yass wrecked havoc in an area where 30,000 people live. Because of damages to crops and fish ponds, many residents have lost their jobs and aid is slow in comping.

A man has died in a Dhaka hospital from a fungal infection that is affecting some of the patients who recovered from COVID-19. Similar cases have been reported in neighbouring India. Bangladeshi authorities are calling for calm, but extend school lockdown and border closure with India.

Appointed in February, he had to postpone his installation due to the pandemic. He served as auxiliary bishop of Chittagong from 2009 to 2016, and later as bishop of Barisal. Speaking to his community, the new archbishop said, “we should focus on Jesus Christ and preaching the Gospel. Because Jesus solves our problems.”

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh calls on the faithful to be inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical to protect creation. In the past year, Caritas and the dioceses have planted 700,000 trees. For Bishop Rozario, “if we fail to protect nature and the Earth, we will face a disaster.”

Bangladesh’s Forest Department is building a barrier, a botanical garden, research centre and guest house as part of an eco-park and eco-tourism project. “We strongly protest the work by the Forest Department in the forest,” said Bangladesh Garo Chhattro Songothon president John Jatra. “They want to evict us from the forest.”

The faithful of seven Catholic villages in Bonpara recite the evening rosary in a home or the parish church. Margaret has a daughter healed through rosary prayers. “We can pray for our country, but also for the people in India, where thousands of people die every day as a result of COVID.” Hymns to Our Lady bring “inner peace”.

The incident took place in Sarakdanga, a village near Naogaon. The victims’ home was destroyed, their food and valuables stolen, and both parents and children beaten. The attackers are from the same village and want to seize the Christians’ land. Despite a complaint, the police have not yet arrested anyone. The parish priest met with the victims and wanted to meet the attackers as well, but they fled.

The Santal nun carries out her ministry in a house where six very elderly nuns from another congregation live. "Today we have many local vocations, so we can serve the world as missionaries".

A top-billed actress from the 1970s and 1980s, she is taken by the pandemic. Born into a Hindu family, she was also a member of the Awami League.

For a second time in a row, Pahela Baishakh was celebrated without outdoor activities. The latest surge in the pandemic is putting a strain on hospitals. On the day that symbolises harmony in the country, all religions prayed for the end to the pandemic.