Card. D'Rozario pens book on Church and theology as seen from Dhaka

Celebrating 50 years of priesthood, the Archbishop Emeritus of Dhaka has summarized in an English-language volume his view 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 Pope Francis' visitation among the themes at the center of the reflection.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - 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 published in English after 16 others in Bengali. "All my previous writings," he explains to AsiaNews, "were mainly pastoral reflections in view 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 at home and abroad this more general theological reflection."

From the very first chapter, the volume focuses on "understanding 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 discusses ministries in the Church, consecrated life but also the legacy left by Pope Francis' visit in 2017.

"In Bangladesh," the cardinal further notes, "we already have a spirit of synodality: religious and laity walk together. Every year, each diocese conducts an assembly where bishops, priests, sisters and laity reflect on the pastoral plan for the coming year. We all work together for the Church."

In the book, the former bishops' conference president also talks about ministry to migrants and refugees, "They are helpless people. Therefore, the host community should welcome them, accept them, rescue them and safeguard their human rights," the former archbishop of Dhaka comments to AsiaNews.

Fr. Francis Sunil Rosario, a priest from Kolkata in India-commenting on Cardinal D'Rozario's book-says it will "inspire young seminarians, priests and religious in formation to understand the ministerial situations and challenges involved in the priestly and religious vocation. The book is a rich document and a testimony of the cardinal's pastoral leadership and ministerial life, which is very helpful in understanding the context of Bangladesh."

• Bangladesh
• Dhaka
• D'Rozario
• church
• theology
• migrants