Almost 90% of the 170 million people of Bangladesh are Muslims. Christians account for just a tiny minority of well under 1% of the total population, and they generally belong to the disadvantaged ethnic minorities.
Such is the case in the diocese of Rajshahi in the northwest of the country. There are over 20.4 million people here, of whom just 71,000 are Catholics. Moreover, they belong to the so-called Adivasi, or members of the various indigenous ethnic tribal groups. Most of them have very few educational opportunities, and while today the majority can at least read and write – a major sign of progress – most are still poor and forced to toil as day labourers or small traders, or by scraping a living from what little they can grow on the land. Drought and climate change are also a major problem.
The diocese has devised an educational programme, partly in order to help the laity deepen their faith by learning more about the Gospel and the teachings of the Church, and partly also to give them a better understanding of their rights within society and so better articulate these rights. Human rights, the strengthening of Christian values, the fight against human trafficking, the protection of children, the dignity of women, the prison ministry and other topics such as migration and coping with extreme climate conditions – all these are important issues that are addressed from a Christian perspective. Various different groups of people take part in the programme – almost 8000 people altogether in fact. They include local leaders, parish workers, who are being trained in order to train up other local people, and young people. But all this costs money, of course.
Father Sagor Corraya of the local justice and peace committee is asking our help. He writes: „I am firmly convinced that you will extend a helping hand to us. For without your help it is completely impossible for us to continue our programme. This loving support will enable all our people to receive a good formation in the faith. I pray for you all during my daily celebration of the Eucharist.“
We certainly intend to support this important programme, with 2500 Euros this year. Will you help us?