by Sumon Corraya

The Holy See created the diocese on 25 March in a remote and impoverished part of northern Bangladesh that is marked by cultural and religious diversity. PIME missionaries were the first to bring the Gospel to the area. Today, its first shepherd was ordained in Naogaon, at a ceremony attended by thousands of faithful. The new bishop told AsiaNews that he wants to promote prosperity and “interreligious harmony”.

Naogaon (AsiaNews) – Thousands of faithful gathered today in the Benededwar Church, Naogaon, northern Bangladesh, for the episcopal ordination of Mgr Paul Gomes, the first bishop of the recently established Diocese of Joypurhat.

Filled with emotion, prayer, and music, the celebration highlighted the hopes of a young Church and the challenges facing a region marked by poverty, cultural diversity, and a strong indigenous presence.

Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi, who is also vice president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, conferred the ordination, and led the solemn liturgy attended by clergy, religious, and laity.

For many, the event was not just an ecclesiastical ceremony, but a historic moment, marking a new chapter for Catholic life in the northwestern part of the country.

The Holy See announced the creation of the Diocese of Joypurhat on 25 March 2026, when Pope Leo XIV erected the new ecclesiastical jurisdiction in territories formerly belonging to the dioceses of Rajshahi and Dinajpur.

The new diocese is now a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Dhaka, in a move that Church leaders see as strengthening pastoral care in a region often considered remote and underserved.

In his address, Bishop Emmanuel Kanon Rozario of Barishal delivered a message both realistic and hopeful, reminding the new shepherd and the faithful that the Church in this area is still in its infancy.

“The new Joypurhat Diocese does not have a bishop’s house, no cathedral,” he said, “But you have a living temple, God’s devotees, and God’s grace,” words that resonated with the crowd, largely composed of people from rural and marginalised communities.

The bishop urged the new prelate to build the Church not so much through structures as through relationships, “in the image of Christ,” and to earn the trust and love of the people through closeness and service.

Addressing the faithful, Bishop Rozario of Barishal added: “You will respect the bishop, walk together. Through this, you will receive much grace from God.”

The emphasis on a shared journey reflects a broader ecclesial vision in Bangladesh, where Catholics are a small minority living alongside followers of other religions.

Newly appointed Bishop Paul Gomes talked to AsiaNews about his future plans, outlining a pastoral vision rooted in participation and long-term planning.

“My main dream and plan as the first bishop of the new diocese is to adopt a sound and far-reaching action plan through collective discussions with all the priests, religious, and Christian devotees,” he said.

Furthermore, the foundations of the diocese, he noted, must be "well-structured and strong from the beginning," prioritising evangelisation, faith training, and regular sacramental life.

At the same time, he also emphasised the Church's social mission, identifying education, healthcare, and human development as essential areas of commitment.

In a region where many people struggle with poverty and have limited access to services, the bishop spoke of promoting "social, human, and moral values”, encouraging communities to build "a self-reliant economy by achieving financial prosperity.”

The prelate also highlighted the importance of interreligious harmony, calling for “good relations with followers of other religions" and cooperation for the common good.

The Diocese of Joypurhat is inhabited mostly by indigenous peoples such as the Santal, Orao, Munda, Mahali, Pahan, Rabidas, Mahato, Turi, Burman, and Koch communities.

Many still live on the margins of society, and a significant number are still unfamiliar with Christianity, making the missionary work of the new diocese particularly important.

Despite its modest size, the diocese has some 24,485 members, served by 15 priests, 18 nuns, and 28 seminarians distributed across 13 parishes. It also operates 14 schools and three dispensaries, a testament to the Church's longstanding commitment to education and healthcare.

In their address, Church leaders highlighted the historical roots of this presence.

Father Dilip S. Costa, a senior priest from Rajshahi, cited the legacy of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), whose missionaries were the first to bring the Gospel to these areas.

The start of evangelisation in the region dates back to 29 January 1902, when Father Francesco Rocca began working among the Adivasi communities.

"The Joypurhat Diocese is the fruit of the sacrifice and hardship of missionaries and local Catholic preachers," said Father Costa, describing the new diocese as the culmination of decades of patient work, often carried out under difficult conditions.

Bishop Gomes’s own story reflects this journey. Born in the village of Kharbaria, Pabna District, the third of six children, he was ordained a priest on 29 December 1992, by Cardinal Patrick D'Rosario. Subsequently he pursed studies in psycho-spirituality in England and held various positions, including vicar general of Rajshahi and rector of the Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka.

Church leaders have expressed confidence in his leadership. Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze of Dhaka, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, described him as a "faithful servant" who demonstrated "great sincerity and pastoral compassion."

Archbishop D'Cruze noted that the responsibilities of the new bishop require even greater commitment, and expressed hope for the support of the faithful.

However, for those gathered today in Naogaon, the significance of the moment was already clear. In a land devoid of cathedrals but rich in faith, the consecration of Bishop Gomes marks not only the beginning of a new diocese, but also a renewed sense of identity and mission for the Catholic community of northern Bangladesh.

• bangladesh
• naogaon
• joypurhat
• new diocese
• paul gomes
• episcopal ordination