Sumon Corraya

Mgr Bejoy N. D'Cruze succeeds Card Patrick D’Rozario. The inauguration ceremony was held this morning in the cathedral. The laity are the strength that can lead the diocese and interfaith dialogue.

Teachers, packaging workers, and hospitality employees have lost their jobs; others have seen their salaries cut. Young people are unable to stay in the capital to support their families and have to return to their home villages. Many would like to emigrate, but it is impossible. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, at least six million young people are currently out of work.

Uttaran Juba Sangathan works to encourage young people in volunteering, mobilize resources, create social awareness, build a just and responsible society, inculcate the competence to see and the courage to act for ethnic communities.

The Vatican Nuncio George Kocherry also took part in the meeting. The prelates expressed concern over the persecution Christians endure; they praised the government for the hospitality given to Rohingya refugees. They also paid tribute to Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation.

At least 17 people from ethnic and religions minority communities were killed between March and September, whilst attacks continued even during the pandemic, said BHBCOP secretary general Rana Dasgupto.

A support group for madrassa teachers and students is behind the demand. As early as 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh presented the Bangladesh government with a 13-point plan that included a blasphemy law.

Some 65 people took part in the event, including housewives, students, and various professionals. “We taught how to share the Bible, gave people a free Bible, and encouraged them not just keep it at home, but to study it every day and encourage other family members to read it,” said Bishop James Romen Boiragi.

Thomas Rozario, a local government official, Sister Mary Lillian, of the sisters of Mary Queen of the Apostles (MRA), and two educators, Jyoti F. Gomes and Michael Botlaru, received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross. Card D’Rozario noted that they served Church and nation.

Muslims groups are putting pressure. Justice and Peace is calling for justice, trials and convictions. “In our country, rapists are never punished; for this reason, the number of acts of sexual violence is increasing,” Catholic official says. Between January and September 2020, 975 cases of rape were reported in Bangladesh causing the death of 43 women, 12 by suicide.

Built a century ago, St Joseph’s Catholic Church could be swept away by the river, together with five villages. Heavy flooding and unfettered sand extraction by construction companies are the main causes. Caritas is already pressuring the government to find a solution, helping families, and providing volunteers to shore up the river banks. The local bishop has visited the affected area.

“Unproven accusations of blasphemy have led to extrajudicial killings, mob lynching and violent protests targeting minority community members,” said a rights advocate. “We believe the blasphemy law is in conflict with the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens guaranteed in the constitution.”

The announcement was made at 12 in Rome and at 16 in Dhaka. The new pastor succeeds Card. Patrick D’Rozario. Msgr Bejoy, 64, was bishop of Khulna and Sylhet. He is Secretary General of the country's Episcopal Conference.