Bangladesh Catholic Bishops’ Conference marks 50 years of existence

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) celebrated its Golden Jubilee at Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on May 27. 
 
The CBCB was established in 1971 and completed 50 years in 2021, but celebrations were withheld due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, former Archbishop of Dhaka, Bishops, priests, religious brothers, and nuns including heads of religious leaders, lay leaders and heads of Catholic educational institutes attended the program.
 
In his opening remark, CBCB President and Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka said, "The golden jubilee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference is a historic moment for the church.” 
 
"I thank God for this special day and I am happy to be here on this historic occasion. CBCB is determined and committed to transforming our church into a synodal church,” said D’Cruze.
 
President of Federation of Asia Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) Charles Cardinal Bo sent a message and said, "It is with immense joy that I learned of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the CBCB. My prayerful wishes on this great occasion of gratitude and grace.” 
 
"Bangladesh has been one of the success stories in recent times of harmony, human development, economic opportunities and natural disaster management. As a country and a people, Bangladesh has been generous in welcoming those who need support. On behalf of the FABC and the neighboring Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar, it is my great privilege to wish you and the faithful of Bangladesh all blessing,” said Bo.
 
From the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle sends his message by saying, "It is with great pleasure that we take this opportunity of joining with the Church in Bangladesh, with fellow Prelates, with priests, religious and laity of the entire nation, in expressing our congratulations and best wishes at this important milestone of your history, fifty years of the establishment of the CBCB.” 
 
"Every Bishops’ Conference exercises certain pastoral offices for Christ’s faithful in order to promote that greater good which the Church offers to mankind. We believe that you have been trying to carry out this mission during these past fifty years through your pastoral services and tireless works of evangelization. Despite your tiny presence in the country, you are also greatly serving numerous educational and health sectors throughout the nation,” he said. 
 
Tagle said, "This special occasion is a fitting moment to have a glance at the past with gratefulness to God for everything that has been achieved. This Jubilee is not only a time to appreciate what has happened, but is also an opportunity to reflect on the present pastoral challenges and plan for the future.”
 
"I implore God, as you celebrate this grace-filled event, that He may bless all of you with bountiful graces under the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the coming years,” said Tagle. 

Vice President of CBCB, Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi said, "I am happy for this special occasion of CBCB. I reflect on its achievements and impacts in the Church in Bangladesh and give thanks to God for all the blessings.”
 
"God has blessed us so much and we are able to celebrate 50 years of the Golden Jubilee of the CBCB,” he said. 
 
One of the participants Chandan Gomes expressed his feelings and said, "The Golden Jubilee of CBCB is a great event for us.” 
 
"Participating in this event, I learned about CBCB’s history and its ongoing programs. In the light of today's discussion, let us continue to work for the common good,” said Gomes.
 
Another participant, Mrs. Rita Costa, said, "The Catholic Bishops' Conference continues to play an important role in the development and expansion of the Catholic community in Bangladesh.” 
 
"As the Convener of the Women's Office, my expectation is that CBCB should make a significant contribution to the development of women leaders as well. It would reflect in reality and not mere plan or promise,” she added. 
 
“As we celebrate the golden jubilee, let us try to build unity, love and peace among the people of Bangladesh,” Rita said. 
 
The purpose of this Conference is to facilitate common policy and action in matters that affect or are liable to affect the interest of the Catholic Church in Bangladesh and to be of service to the country at large. 
 
Prior to the establishment of CBCB, Bangladesh’s bishops were members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan.
 
The CBCB was established in the newly born Bangladesh in 1971 after a bloody war of independence against the Pakistan rulers and military junta.
 
Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country; Christians are a minority accounting for less than half percent of the population of more than 162 million. Church records say there are about 600,000 Christians in Bangladesh including about 400,000 Catholics.
 
The Catholic Church comprises eight dioceses including two archdioceses. About half of the country’s Catholics hail from ethnic indigenous groups and the rest belong to the majority Bengali community. - Nikhil Gomes