The National Council of Churches in Bangladesh (NCCB) marked its 75th anniversary on October 30, celebrating seven and a half decades of Christian unity, humanitarian service and interreligious engagement at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) Centre in Dhaka.
The celebration, held under the theme “Rejoicing Milestones of Transformation for God's Glory to Act Now,” brought together church leaders, representatives of different faiths, associate organizations and institutions affiliated with the council.
Ahmed Azam Khan, minister for Liberation War Affairs, attended as chief guest, while Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario CSC, archbishop emeritus of Dhaka, was among the guests of honor.
Addressing the gathering, Cardinal D'Rozario described the NCCB's history as a testament to Christian devotion, resilience and service to society.
“Generation after generation, your community has striven to embody the love of Christ, nurturing the spiritual life of the faithful and extending a healing, helping hand to society,” he said.
He called on the council to build on the legacy of its founders and continue promoting Christian unity, saying its experience over 75 years had prepared it to respond to contemporary challenges.
Joyanta Adhikari, former NCCB president, highlighted the importance of ecumenical cooperation while respecting the distinct identities and traditions of different Christian denominations.
“Despite our diverse traditions, we are all united in Christ, each preserving our own ecclesial identity and heritage,” he said, describing the churches as members of the one Body of Christ.
Khan said Bangladesh belonged to people of all religious and ethnic communities and reaffirmed the government's commitment to equal rights, security and democratic participation.
He also acknowledged the NCCB's contributions beyond church activities, particularly in humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation, disaster response, social awareness and support for disadvantaged communities.
He said these initiatives reflected the Christian values of love, compassion, peace, nonviolence and brotherhood, contributing to a society based on mutual respect and religious tolerance.
NCCB General Secretary Rev. David Anirudha Das told RVA News that the council's journey since its establishment in 1951 reflected God's grace and the strength of Christian unity.
He recalled its involvement in relief work, education, healthcare, peacebuilding, sociopolitical reform and disaster response, describing these experiences as shaping its mission over the decades.
Looking ahead, Das said the NCCB would strengthen grassroots interreligious dialogue, promote human rights and social justice, support marginalized communities and expand human development initiatives.
He also identified climate action and care for creation, alongside leadership development and the empowerment of young people, as priorities for the council's future.
The anniversary celebration reaffirmed the NCCB's commitment to ecumenical cooperation and interfaith harmony in Bangladesh, where Christians form a small minority within a predominantly Muslim population.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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