The Catholic bishops of Bangladesh are undertaking their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit to the Vatican from June 22 to 27, continuing one of the Catholic Church’s oldest and most significant traditions.
According to the Code of Canon Law, bishops from around the world are required to make this pilgrimage to Rome, normally every five years, to meet with the Holy Father, present reports on their dioceses, and strengthen the communion between the universal Church and local Churches.
Nine bishops from Bangladesh are participating in this year’s visit including Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze, OMI, of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. Due to health reasons, Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi, CSC, of the Diocese of Mymensingh was unable to participate in this year’s Ad Limina visit.
The main purpose of the Ad Limina visit is a meeting with the Pope. During this year’s visit, the bishops will meet Pope Leo XIV, present reports on their pastoral work, discuss challenges facing their dioceses, and share future priorities for ministry. They will also submit official reports detailing the spiritual, pastoral, social, educational, and administrative life of their dioceses.
As part of the pilgrimage, the bishops pray at the tombs of the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Rome and visit significant pilgrimage sites. They also meet officials of various Vatican Dicasteries to discuss issues related to the life and mission of the Church.
The bishops of Bangladesh have already completed their annual retreat and begun formal meetings with Vatican offices. Discussions have taken place with 14 Vatican Dicasteries, where the bishops presented reports and shared the work of their respective episcopal commissions.
Reflecting on the significance of the visit, the bishops said the Ad Limina pilgrimage provides "an invaluable opportunity for direct communion between the Holy Father and the bishops" and strengthens the unity between local Churches and the universal Church.
They added that the visit helps make the Church’s evangelizing mission and pastoral ministry more effective while allowing the Holy See to better understand the realities and pastoral needs of individual dioceses.
The previous Ad Limina visit of the bishops of Bangladesh took place in May 2018 under the leadership of Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, archbishop-emeritus of Dhaka
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