On the occasion of his 50 years of priesthood, the archbishop emeritus of Dhaka summarized in a volume in English his vision of the essence and life of a Christian community in the local context. Ministeriality, the relationship between religious and laity, but also the legacy of the visit of Pope Francis, among the central themes of the reflection.
Dhaka () – The country’s first and only cardinal, Patrick D’Rozario, archbishop emeritus of Dhaka, has published a new book entitled “Church and ministry: the local Church of Bangladesh”. The 230-page book is the first to be published in English after another 16 in Bengali. “All my previous writings,” he explains to “were mainly pastoral reflections in the light of my ministry as a priest for 18 years and as a bishop for 32 years. On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of my priesthood, this year I wanted instead to offer to the Church of my country and from abroad this more general theological reflection”.
From the first chapter, the volume focuses on the “understanding of the Church”, “because the faithful need to know its nature according to the Second Vatican Council”, comments D’Rozario. But it is an explanation strongly linked to “the identity of the local Church in Bangladesh.” The book also addresses the ministries in the Church, the consecrated life, but also the legacy left by the visit of Pope Francis in 2017.
“In Bangladesh”, the cardinal also points out, “we already have a spirit of synodality: religious and laity walk together. Every year, each diocese celebrates an assembly in which bishops, priests, religious and laity reflect on the pastoral plan for the next year. We all work together for the Church.” In the book, the former president of the Episcopal Conference also speaks of the ministry with immigrants and refugees: “They are defenseless people. For this reason, the host community must welcome them, accept them, save them and safeguard their human rights,” he declared to the former Archbishop of Dhaka.
Father Francis Sunil Rosario, a priest from Calcutta, India, commenting on Cardinal D’Rozario’s book, maintains that “it will inspire young seminarians, priests and religious in formation to understand ministerial situations and the challenges involved in the priestly vocation. and religious.” The book is a rich document and testimony to the Cardinal’s pastoral leadership and ministerial life, which is very helpful in understanding the Bangladeshi context.”
