Bangladesh, 2,500 Catholics protest attack on Boldipukur church
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - About 2,500 Catholics, including the Bishop
of Dinajpur Sebastian Tudu and more than 100 priests and nuns, protested yesterday
against the
attack on the Boldipukur Catholic church, which took place on July 6. The
protest was held in front of the (sub-district) upazila office of Mithapukur, in
the district of Rongpur. This is the first time that a Bangladeshi bishop has
taken part in a demonstration.
Msgr. Tudu, bishop of the diocese where the attack took place, explained the
aims of the gathering: "We want a proper investigation and exemplary
punishment for those who targeted priests and nuns. We believe that this type
of attack is an attack that affects religious sentiments. "
Meanwhile in Dhaka about 600 Catholics - including 30 priests and nuns - yesterday
formed a human chain to demonstrate against the Boldipukur attack. The event was
organized by the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace and the Bangladesh
Christian Association (BCA), in front of the National Press Club
"We Christians are peaceful - said Fr. Albert Rozario, secretary of the
Episcopal Commission - we do not want any conflict. We only want peace and religious
harmony, but often become victims." The priest, who is also pastor of Tejgaon,
gives the example of land
expropriations by Bengali settlers against the tribals.
"We, too, - said Nirmol Rozario, general secretary of the BCA - are
members of this nation. Christians have fought for the independence of the
country. We want peace and justice. We want security for the priests and the
sisters of our Church."
04/06/2018 18:08
26/04/2019 13:24