Sumon Corraya

The neophytes come from Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. St Anthony’s Parish has about a thousand members living in 45 villages. More missionaries are needed.

The Christian Religious Welfare Trust organised a workshop held on 19 March. The authorities are training Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim religious leaders. ""The pastor must always lead the people to a better understanding of the word of God,” a participant said.

The Archbishop of Chittagong issues his message in preparation for Easter. Lent is "the right time to renew our faith" and to "perform works of mercy". "We are one body in Christ. Therefore we cannot be indifferent to others who believe in Christ ".

Police try to block websites that praise holy war. The number of young people radicalised online is growing. The extremist who tried to stab Prof Iqbal was inspired on the Dawahilallah forum.

Bertha Gity Baroi heads CORR-The Jute Works, an organisation set up by Caritas to help women widowed during the country’s War of Independence. It works with more than 6,000 people, mostly Muslims and Hindus.

Prof Mohammed Zafor Iqbal had demanded justice for secularist bloggers and intellectuals murdered for their democratic ideas. His name was on the black list of an outlawed Islamic group. Activists and Catholics condemn the attack.

Sr. M. Madeleine works in the "Homes for Malnutrition Center”, which welcomes more than 100 poor and abandoned people. She was attacked back at the bank, where she had just withdrawn 990 euros. The nuns refused to file a complaint.

More than 400 young people came from all over the country. The 33rd National Youth Day took place from 21 to 25 February in Gazipur. An atmosphere of celebration and pilgrimage accompanied the activities. "We are the future of the world", said one participant.

Christian tribal organisations organised a protest in the capital, but police prevented them from doing so in front of the National Museum to censor the fact that soldiers raped two sisters.

The policewoman comes from a poor family from the diocese of Mymensingh. The local Church and the priests helped her to pay for her studies. "My dream is to help other poor students who do not have the money to pay for school".

The faithful show their sadness over the desecrated hosts. The parish priest is grateful to his parishioners for their prayers and to God for saving him from death. Anger is directed at police, deemed as negligent. The deputy police commissioner promises security cameras and a commitment to finding the thieves.

Canterbury St Augustine is one of Bangladesh’s oldest churches. Robbers broke into the building, tied up and beat the parish priest, Fr Pereira, ransacked the church, and broke open the offering boxes.