Bangladeshi Church commemorates 50th anniversary of the War of Independence

Various representatives of the government and the local Church took part in commemorationsof the Christian community's contribution to the nation both during the 1971 war and today. Archbishop of Dhaka Bejoy N D'Cruze: "I dream of a prosperous country where all religious faiths can live in harmony". 

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - "During the war of independence many faithful Christians also fought for freedom. Churches, hospitals and Christian educational institutions gave shelter and protection to fighters and refugees," stated Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, chief guest at an event organized by the local church on December 11 to celebrate the golden jubilee of the country's independence and the centenary of the birth of the father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Dr. Shirin, a former student of Holy Cross College in Dhaka, expressed admiration for the contribution made by Christians to the building of the nation: "Christians are a small community but they contribute to the development and growth of the country. 

Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi, general secretary of the Bangladesh Bishops' Conference, added in his welcome address: "Today we have gathered to show our respect for those who have contributed to creating an independent country. Without their sacrifice we would not have had a state for ourselves."

Some 417 Christian fighters participated in the 1971 war of independence. At least 10 died, including a nun and three priests: Italian Xaverian missionary Fr. Mario Veronesi, American Holy Cross priest Fr. William Evans, and local priest Fr. Lucas Marandi. 

Dictating the program for the day was the Archbishop of Dhaka, Bejoy N. D'Cruze. The guests of honor were the first cardinal of Bangladesh Patrick D'Rozario, the Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Faridul Haq Khan and the Minister of the Interior Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal who praised Christian organizations: "I am happy to see the cooperative activities of Christians flourishing and I hope they will be an example for others.

Archbishop Bejoy N D'Cruze thanked the more than 1,000 participants from all over the country: "The father of our nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamed of a country without hunger, poverty and injustice. He dreamt of a secular country. In the last 50 years we have achieved a lot, but I dream of a prosperous country where all religious faiths can live in harmony."