Catholic Church in Bangladesh
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TheCatholic Church in Bangladeshis part of the worldwideCatholic Church,under the spiritual leadership of thepopeinRome.As of 2016[update],there are approximately 350,000, approximately 0.2 percent of the population ofBangladesh.[1]About 60% of Catholics come from "tribals", members of minority tribes.[2]By 2022, there were 400,000 Catholics in the country.[3]Bangladesh is otherwise a predominantlyMuslimcountry.
In 1598, the first priest arrived in Bangladesh accompanying the Portuguese.[2]
As of 2017[update],the country is made up of eightdiocesesincluding twoarchdioceses.Patrick D'Rozariowas the country's first evercardinal.[1][4]He retired in 2020.[5]
TheCatholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh,founded in 1971, is the General Body of the Ordinaries of Bangladesh. 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.Pope John Paul IIvisitedDhakain November 1986.
The U.S. State Department and human rights groups have cited Bangladesh as a nation of concern with regards to violence against religious minorities, including Hindus and Christians. A notable incident ofviolence against Christianswas a 2001 bomb attack on a Catholic church during Sunday Mass, killing nine and maiming dozens.[6]Since the rise of al-Qaida and ISIS, violence, threats and various forms of oppression against non-Muslims have increased in Bangladesh, and a 2014 State Department report noted insufficient government efforts to protect religious minorities. In January 2014, homes were set ablaze and eight Catholics were injured, allegedly for exercising their right to vote in the nation's parliamentary elections[citation needed].In July 2014, a mob of 60 stormed a Catholic convent, where they proceeded to beat up nuns and a priest.[7]In April 2015, a mob attacked churchgoers and stabbed a priest during Easter Mass[citation needed].In December 2015, three adult siblings in a Catholic family were attacked while inside their home. Two of them were injured critically.[8]In early February 2016, a group of 20 raided a church and a convent at night. Nuns were beaten and property was looted[citation needed].In July 2016, nearly two dozen people were killed by gunman during an attack on a popular restaurant in Dhaka where Christians and other non-Muslims, mostly foreigners, were known to frequent.
Pope Francisvisited Bangladesh in November 2017.[1]
Organisation
[edit]In 2023, there are 41 bishops in the country.[9]There also over 400 priests and 1000 nuns.[10]
The Apostolic Nuncio, or papal ambassador, normally aTitular Archbishop,heads theApostolic Nunciature(the Vatican's embassy), to Bangladesh. ArchbishopGeorge Kocherrywas theApostolic Nuncio to Bangladeshfrom 2013 to 2022.[11]
The Catholic Church is noted that the second largest provider of education in the country, with approximately 270 schools.[3]
Dioceses in Bangladesh
[edit]Dioceses in Bangladesh:
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcCarvalho, Nirmala (9 October 2016)."Bangladesh cardinal calls appointment both blessing and challenge".Crux.Archived fromthe originalon 20 February 2019.Retrieved7 February2017.
- ^abLubov, Deborah Castellano (22 November 2016)."Interview: New Bangladesh Cardinal 'Dumbfounded' by Pope's Gesture".National Catholic Register.Retrieved7 February2017.
- ^abUS State Dept 2022 report
- ^Harris, Elise (19 November 2016)."For Bangladesh's new cardinal, papal visit will boost faith".Catholic News Agency.Retrieved7 February2017.
- ^"Resignations and Appointments, 30.09.2020"(Press release). Holy See Press Office. 30 September 2020.Retrieved30 September2020.
- ^"Bangladesh church bomb kills nine".BBC News.3 June 2001.Retrieved14 April2011.
- ^"Women religious attacked in Bangladesh".Catholic News Agency.Retrieved2 November2018.
- ^Corraya, Sumon."Dhaka, brutal attack on Catholic brothers leaves them fighting for life".AsiaNews.it.PIME.Retrieved2 November2018.
- ^Catholic Hierarchy website, retrieved 2023-08-28
- ^Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^"Rinunce e nomine, 24.08.2022"(Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 24 August 2022.Retrieved25 August2022.
- ^"Pope Francis has erected the new Diocese of Barisal".Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved29 December2015.
