Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Francis Atul Sarkar is the new executive director of Caritas Bangladesh. He took over yesterday at the farewell ceremony for his predecessor, Benedict Alo D'Rozario.
"God has called me to this task,” the new director told AsiaNews. “I think it is the vocation of my life, so I will give my best efforts to Caritas."
Francis Atul Sarkar is a member of the Baradal Parish church in the diocese of Khulna. For many years, he worked with Caritas in various capacities, including that of executive assistant, director of development and regional director. He is married and has two daughters.
He replaces Benedict Alo D'Rozario, who served as Caritas for 29 years, including 11 as executive director.
Caritas president Mgr Gervas Rozario, who was present at the ceremony, thanked the outgoing director for “his outstanding leadership and contribution to the nation and the Church”.
Turning to the new director, the prelate went on to offer “all our help to Francis Atul Sarkar in his new journey."
Speaking about his new role, Sarkar said, “I will bring Caritas’ service to more people and increase its standards.”
“Caritas,” he explained, “is the serving arm of the Catholic Church. I shall do more to empower this arm. People will understand the Church’s philosophy and teachings.”
Caritas is an agency of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) and is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in the country with a staff of 6,500 people, mostly non-Christians, with a total of 92 projects to its credit.
Regional offices are present in each of the country’s eight dioceses tasked with co-ordinating social, urban, rural, and educational development, as well as actions in crisis situations and environmental disasters.
The work of its members reflects the social teachings of the Catholic Church, based on the idea of a society permeated by the values of liberty, justice, peace and forgiveness.
Caritas Bangladesh works so that everyone can live in communion with their neighbours, sharing respect and love.
