Bangladesh’s Rajshahi Diocese Trains 73 Church Leaders in Synodal Discernment

The Diocese of Rajshahi in northwestern Bangladesh gathered 73 Church leaders for a two-day workshop on synodal discernment and participation, encouraging parish pastoral councils to strengthen consultation, shared decision-making, and the involvement of marginalized communities in Church life.

Held on October 23–24 at Christo Jyoti Pastoral Centre, the workshop focused on putting synodality into practice through prayer, dialogue, mutual listening, and the active participation of the faithful in the Church’s mission.

Participants included Bishop Gervas Rozario; workshop convener Fr. Sagar Corraya; Fr. William Murmu; Dr. Arok Toppo, regional director of Caritas; and presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, and women representatives of parish pastoral councils across the diocese.

“Building a synodal Church is not limited to a meeting or a workshop; rather, it is an ongoing process that is deeply connected with the daily life and pastoral ministry of the Church,” Bishop Rozario said in his welcome address.

He urged every Christian to contribute their gifts, time, and abilities to the life of the Church.

During a session on the current situation and challenges of parish pastoral councils, Fr. Premu Rozario explained their roles and responsibilities under canon law, emphasizing their advisory and collaborative relationship with parish priests.

“A pastoral council is not an institution established to find fault with the parish priest. Rather, it is formed to advise and assist the priest in the administration of the parish,” he said.

Fr. William Murmu, in his presentation on the synodal approach and discernment process of parish pastoral councils, outlined practical steps for communal discernment. These included preparing through prayer, gathering relevant information, listening attentively to different perspectives, reflecting on shared experiences, and seeking a common decision guided by the Holy Spirit.

Addressing the next commitments and actions at the parish level, Fr. Sagar Corraya encouraged participants to organize regular consultative meetings, foster prayerful dialogue, and develop joint pastoral action plans.

He also emphasized the need to listen to marginalized and neglected people, particularly those whose experiences and opinions are often overlooked in parish decision-making.

The workshop sought to help parish pastoral councils move beyond formal structures toward a more participatory Church in which clergy and laypeople discern together and share responsibility for the Church’s mission.

Rajshahi, an important urban and administrative center in northwestern Bangladesh, is home to a Catholic community whose parish life forms part of the country’s wider Christian presence. The workshop highlighted how synodal practices at the local level can strengthen participation and pastoral collaboration in the Church’s mission.