Death of Bangladesh Catholic radio pioneer Fr Sunil

Founder of Radio Jyoti (Light), the first Catholic radio station in the country, he was 75 years old. The funeral took place in Natore, his hometown. Author also of plays, he was director of the Christian Communication Centre of the Bangladesh Bishops' Conference. Fr Dilip S. Costa: "He used every means to proclaim the Gospel".

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Fr Sunil Daniel Rozario, a revered figure in the media world and a forerunner of modern communications for the Catholic Church in Bangladesh, passed away on 5 June at the age of 75. He founded the country's first Catholic radio station, Radio Jyoti (Light). He passed away at the Rajshahi Christian Mission Hospital. A man of deep faith and creativity, Fr Sunil fostered the growth of Catholic media in Bangladesh, where the Christian community is a small minority.

Radio Jyoti was founded in 2016 in the diocese of Rajshahi: it is the first station of its kind, with the declared aim of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ and sharing the Good News through radio broadcasts. The radio station can be listened to online and is still active today, thus continuing to carry out its mission. For the launch - which involved one hour of broadcasting per day - 25 young speakers were trained, most of them of tribal origin.

The funeral service was held in the parish of Borni in Natore, his hometown. During the service, Fr. Dilip S. Costa, parish priest of Bonpara parish in the Rajshahi diocese, remembered Fr. Sunil with heartfelt words: 'Father Sunil Daniel Rozario was a learned and gifted man, a master composer of Christian hymns, with an exceptional media personality. He used every means to proclaim the Gospel - through his voice, his writings and his leadership'.

P. Sunil was born on 8 January 1950 in the village of Parborni, Natore. He was the son of Victor Rozario and Agnes Gomes. After completing high school, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on 4 January 1981. He served two terms as a producer for the Bengali service of Radio Veritas Asia in the Philippines and, from 1991 to 1998, he was director of the Christian Communication Centre, run by the Bangladesh Bishops' Conference.

A prolific writer and composer, Fr Sunil has contributed significantly to Catholic literature and music. He has written dramas, articles, hymns and songs that have enriched the cultural and spiritual life of the Church. His play Jivan Bani, based on the Holy Scriptures, was aired on Radio Jyoti, while the children's drama Kakoli was later published as a book.

His writings have appeared regularly in magazines such as Youth Kallol, Research and Nursing Home, Church News, Today's Media, International Survey and Mohilangan. He has also been a pastor in several communities, including Gulta, Mahipara and Bogra. In recent years, Fr Sunil resided at the Christ Jyoti Pastoral Centre in Rajshahi, supervising Radio Jyoti and serving as an assistant pastor in Musrail Dharmapalli.

Fr. Sunil Daniel Rozario leaves a lasting legacy. Through his pioneering work in the media, his heartfelt compositions and his pastoral care, he made an extraordinary contribution to the spiritual life and communication efforts of the Catholic Church in Bangladesh. His death is mourned by many, but his voice - through radio, music and writing - continues to inspire.