Sumon Corraya

Bangladesh’s first native educator, who ran three high schools, died yesterday at the age of 81. Muslim and Hindu students remember him as an example for the religious life “with a pure soul and kind heart." Under his stewardship, schools prospered and acquired prestige.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the month-long Amar Ekushey Fair today. February is considered the "month of the language". The event is a venue for thousands new books. Plainclothes agent will monitor stalls to ensure respect for religions.

The Xaverian missionary was 78 years old. His funeral was celebrated in Khulna and his ashes will rest in his adopted country. He translated Vatican Council II papers, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and some papal encyclicals. His works inspired many young Catholics and Muslims.

The cardinal met with 50 priests, 20 nuns and 30 Catholic lay people. "Family members want to hear words of hope". The family is the root of the Church. The country needs more people trained to meet their needs. Marriage is not just a social tradition, but is “the mirror of God’s love."

The ordination took place in the Bonpara church in Natore. There were 40 priests and about 500 faithful. The male vocations are on the rise, as opposed to female ones. In the future the fall in births could also affect the number of calls to the religious life. Bangladeshi missionaries in China.

The exchange of greetings took place in Dhaka with some 1,500 Christians, as well as a good number of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. The prime minister thanked Pope Francis "for appointing a Bengali as cardinal". She also said that her government supports the equality of all religions.

Christians fear violence by Islamic extremists. Christian Leaders ask for tighter security at Christmas. Home Affairs minister reassures them that more checks will be provided across the country.

The Bishops' Conference organize a seminar dedicated to politicians. At a parliamentary level, there is only one Christian representative; at a local level, less than 100 Christians out of a total of 4554 administrative units. Card. D'Rozario: "Do not vote laws that go against religion and morality."

Card. Patrick D'Rozario received his red hat on 19 November. In his archdiocese of Dhaka he was greeted by 5 thousand faithful. To honor him, five bishops arrived from India. In Bangladesh there are about 600 thousand Catholics.

Card D'Rozario met the prime minister in her office. The apostolic nuncio, Archbishop George Kocherry, was present at the meeting. "On behalf of the 600,000 members of the Christian community that I represent, I express my loyalty to the prime minister and the nation,” the cardinal said.

Poverty and traditional Islamic culture are the main causes. 55% of brides are under 18 years of age; 18% under 15. A new law would allow the wedding in "special circumstances" to save the honor of the girls. Three stories of child marriages.

The young woman is suffering from a degenerative muscle disease contracted at university. In Bangladesh there are more than a million disabled people, abandoned by the authorities and society. She helps educate them to be independent and self-reliant. The Church can change the faithful’s way of thinking. People with disabilities are "another aspect of God's grandeur."