Bangladesh: A New Salesian Frontier
Bangladesh is Islamic in faith terms (89,7%) but it is one of the few democratic Islamic countries, with a free press and political
freedom. It is also allowed for people to change religions: whoever wants to do this goes to a judge and declares that he is doing so of
his or her own free will, without being pressured by anyone. There is no persecution of Christians, and this explains why the
missionary can work freely amidst the people. The first Bangladeshi Christians were converted by the Portuguese in the 16th and 17th
centuries but the majority of Christians hail from the aborigines, the (adibasis) who, converted to Christianity from animism. Today the
Catholic Church in Bangladesh numbers around 300,000 faithful, or 0.3% of the population. There are six Catholic dioceses, each
with its local Bishop, and around a hundred parishes, with an average of 300-500 catechumens in each. Salesians were there before
Bangladesh was separated from India in 1947. Our parishes and institutes were under the Calcutta province and the then Krishnagar
diocese. In 1947 many Christians fled to India and set themselves up near Calcutta. This is why there are so many Salesians who
were born in Bangladesh. Bishop Joseph Gomes of Krishnagar and Archbishop Lucas Sirkar of Calcutta were born in Bangladesh.
This year the Rector Major sent Fr Francis Alencherry, former General Councillor for the Missions, to Bangladesh to begin a new
Salesian presence.
Fr Francis Alencherry tells of his arrival in Bangladesh: "I have finally reached Bangladesh, my mission territory. I reached the
Bishop's house in Mymensingh a little before midnight on 24th March, accompanied by Fr Joseph Pampadiyil, the vice provincial. The
diocesan clergy were having their monthly recollection on 25th until midday on 26th. In the morning of the 26th there was also the
Chrism Mass. This opportunity gave me a chance to get to know the Diocesan Clergy and be introduced to them. Praying with them,
spending a day in prayer together was a good way to begin my ministry in this Diocese.
“On the afternoon of the 26th the Bishop and the parish priest of Ranikhong, where my first Salesian presence will begin, took both os
us to Utrail, the place chosen for this initial presence. The journey by car from Mymensingh to Utrail took a little over an hour and a
half, even if it is only 55 km. One section of the road is in very bad condition at the moment, but there is a reasonable hope of it soon
being repaired.
“After reaching Utrail we were warmly welcomed with flowers, singing and dancing from the children and the few people who had
gathered there. We were introduced to the people and I saw that there was general satisfaction for the fact that the Salesians had
come to stay with them.
“After the welcoming ceremony we went around studying the various possibilities and looking at the various sites that could be useful
for our apostolate. We spent some three hours there and then returned to Mymensingh, for lack of accommodation at the place.
“My first thoughts were to prepare a place for the community in Utrail and buy some land for our work. I hope to stay in Utrail for Holy
Week. This will give me the chance to meet the greatest number of people. According to the parish priest's calculations there should
be around 3,000 faithful spread over some 18 villages in the parish entrusted to us.
“The Bishop and clergy have been very welcoming. They have received us with open arms and are expecting a lot from us. I am
certain that with God's help the sons of Don Bosco will not leave them disappointed
"I am hoping that by 18th December this year we can solemnly open this new Salesian presence as a reminder of the 150th
anniversary of the founding of our Congregation".
Australasia # 2389. See also # 1416, 604, 598.
Mission News
New frontiers for 2009 – first Salesians begin working in Bangladesh, Utrail parish – INC (Fr. Francis Alencherry), in New Zealand,
Auckland - AUL (Fr. James Adayadiel) and in Guam [US territory in the Pacific] – school - FIN (Fr. Chito Dimaranan). This brings
to 133 the number of countries we are working in this year!
96 candidates have offered themselves to the Rector Major to be ready to leave for the missions this year. After a preparatory
course in Rome and a pilgrimage to the places of Don Bosco 34 will leave for their mission (Europe: 8, Africa: 10, America: 10,
Asia: 4, Oceania: 2) on 27th September, while 62 will continue their initial formation in their own country, or will have a practical
discernment time in a mission place belonging to their province.
Salesian mission intention August 2009
«That religious freedom for all citizens of South Asia be respected, and that Salesians may foster among the young
the sense of God and respect for religious freedom in their educative institutions»
In South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) politicians try to divide the population on the
basis of religion, caste, language and ethnic origin due to partisan motives and in order to keep them in power. Education is
also instrumentalized for these reasons. Religious freedom in the countries of South Asia has been seriously attacked in the
last two years. In fact many Christians in India suffer a real religious persecution. Fanaticism and religious
fundamentalism can be faced only through an education to the universal respect for every human person. Thus through
their ministry Salesians have the duty to oppose division, and to promote friendship, dialogue and collaboration among the
various groups and influence the politics of the central and local governments as well as the world of culture in order to
foster the sense of friendship among the various religions, people and etnic groups.
For the Pope's general and missionary intention see: www.sdb.org
for suggestions and contributions: cagliero11@gmail.com
