Sumon Corraya

Twenty thieves broke in overnight on Saturday, November 26 and tied up the guards and pastor. The latter was threatened with death and had to reveal where the valuables were. In the past three years, six similar robberies of church property, and two burglaries at a convent.

The Holy Cross priest is pastor in Bandarban, responsible for 8,000 people living in 56 mountain villages. To reach his destinations, and despite the hardships and cost, he walks on poor roads, crosses rivers, climbs hills, and makes his way through the jungle to perform his pastoral outreach. When he arrives, his parishioners “are so happy that that they keep me up all night." Usually, Catholics can attend Mass only once a year.

Bangladesh has decided to reject about 400 refugees at the border. They were running away from the new wave of repression in Myanmar. Islamic leaders denounce the ethnic cleansing. Bishop of Rajshahi: The government needs to safeguard all minorities.

Police and local Muslims attacked Tribals in a land dispute. Two died and six were wounded. As people live in fear, children are kept out of school. Some Christians are still on the run; others did not go back home. With winter approaching and food scarce, despair is setting in.

On 6 November a dispute over land sparked violence against the tribal minority by police and Muslims. The toll is two dead, six wounded, several missing, and looted Santal homes. The bishop of Dinajpur laments that “Our people live in fear and cannot leave their homes”. He calls on the government to provide justice.

Called ‘Shanti Bhavan’ (House of Peace), it is home to ten patients. Some of them have lost their hearing; others are bedridden; all have served in hospitals, schools and parishes. “Each congregation should open a nursing home for its members, old and sick, so as to give them hope that they will be cared for”.

At least 15 temples assaulted, houses and stores ransacked. Islamic radicals have sought Hindus house by house. The violence triggered by a photo depicting the god Shiva sitting on the Kaaba, the holiest site of Islam.

Albert P Costa is the new president of Jumbo Dal, the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. In the past he led the largest organization for cooperation in the country.

The organization was founded in 1991 to bring young people and bishops together. Students receive formation and are involved in social and charitable activities. As adults, they come to occupy senior posts, because in the movement "they learn to express themselves and to take on responsibility".

The Missionaries of the Immaculate, a female congregation associated with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, run a medical dispensary whose staff provide medical care and a smile to the poor. Some 75 sisters work across the country in schools, health facilities and parishes.

In a surprise move yesterday Pope Francis announced a consistory for the creation of 17 new cardinals. The Archbishop of Dhaka learned of his appointment while celebrating Mass and was overcome by a strong emotion. Local priest: "I prayed a lot to God to give us a cardinal. Eventually God responded".

On his return from Azerbaijan, the Pope announced that it is "almost certain" that in 2017 he will visit India and Bangladesh. Christians are preparing to welcome him with enthusiasm. The police will increase controls to prevent terrorist attacks. Some Muslims consider him a "model of peace"; others oppose the visit.