Bangladesh Archbishop Launches Catechetical Book for Faith Formation

Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka, Bangladesh,  launched Fundamental Teachings of Christianity, a new Bengali-language catechetical book edited by Fr. Dr. Shipon Peter Rebeiro, during a priests’ meeting at the Bishop’s House of the Archdiocese of Dhaka on September 8.

The book is intended as a resource for catechists, religious educators and others involved in teaching the Catholic faith. Its cover was unveiled by Archbishop D’Cruze in the presence of Bishop Subroto B. Gomes, Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC, Fr. Sonny Michael Rozario, Father Rebeiro and other priests.

Archbishop D’Cruze said the publication adds to existing catechetical resources available in Bengali.

“Several catechetical books, including the Catechism of the Catholic Church, have already been published in Bengali, along with translations of other catechetical resources,” he said. “As a continuation of this effort, Fundamental Teachings of Christianity, prepared and edited through the initiative of Father Shipon Peter Rebeiro, is another valuable addition to the catechetical resources of the Christian community in Bangladesh.”

The archbishop said the book presents the essential teachings of the Catholic Church in a concise and accessible way, while emphasizing Sacred Scripture as the foundation of catechetical teaching.

“I believe this is a very timely publication for preparing candidates for First Confession, First Holy Communion, and the Sacrament of Confirmation,” he said. “The book is not only suitable for children; Christians at all levels can use it as a ‘manual’ for catechetical instruction.”

Fr. Rebeiro said the book grew out of his ministry of teaching the faith.

“This book is essentially an expression of my ministry of teaching the faith and serving the people of God,” he said. “The primary purpose of catechesis is to hand on the tradition and teachings of the faith from one generation to the next.”

The book is divided into five chapters: “Prayers to Memorize,” “Fundamental Teachings of the Catholic Church,” “Teachings Centered on the Life of the Christian Community,” “Worship and the Sacraments of the Catholic Church,” and “An Introduction to the Holy Bible.”

Fr. Rebeiro highlighted the effort to show the biblical foundations of traditional Catholic teachings and the sacraments.

“One of the important features of this book is the effort to demonstrate the biblical foundations of most of the traditional teachings and the Sacraments of the Catholic Church,” he said.

Fr. Rebeiro, born in 1979, entered the Little Flower Teresa Minor Seminary in Bandura and later received formation at various seminaries, completing studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest in 2009.

After his ordination, he went to Rome for higher studies. He earned a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute and later a doctorate in the same field from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

After returning to Bangladesh, Fr. Rebeiro joined the faculty of Holy Spirit Major Seminary, where he combined teaching with pastoral ministry, writing and biblical research.

Although his articles have appeared in newspapers and journals, Fundamental Teachings of Christianity is his first standalone publication as an author.