Approximately 89% of the 170 million or so inhabitants of Bangladesh in Southeast Asia are Muslims, while Catholics account for no more than a tiny minority of 0.2% of the total population. And over half of these Catholics belong to the ethnic minorities in the country.
Yet despite being so small numerically, the Catholic Church is very much alive and her priests minister to the faithful with great devotion in for the most part very difficult conditions. The small villages within their parishes are often situated in remote and inaccessible areas. There is widespread poverty, the roads and tracks are difficult, and the priests are also the first ones the people turn to in their every need.
Bishop Emmanuel K. Rozario of the diocese of Barishal explains: „Our priests are very close to the people and are greatly loved and respected by them. True to the example of the Good Shepherd, they strive to care pastorally and with tender hearts for their flock. They celebrate Holy Mass, bring them the sacraments, care for the sick and elderly and all with special needs. They visit the families, prepare young couples for the sacrament of marriage and instruct the children in the catechism, also organising activities such as Bible quizzes.“
But at the same time it is not easy for the priests to support themselves materially, and provide for their own medical care, while at the same time tending to the needs of their parishioners, who themselves are very poor.
And so we regularly support the priests in a number of different dioceses in the country, with the Mass offerings of our kind benefactors. Among those we are helping are 19 priests from the diocese of Barishal and 36 from the diocese of Dinajpur, so that they can continue their mission of selfless service.
