Church growing in Bangladesh: in 20 years, the number of dioceses has doubled

Created by Pope Francis on 29 December, the Diocese of Barisal is located 123 km south of Dhaka and is home to 16,000 Catholics who live in an area with a population of 15 million. Mgr Lawrence Subroto, the new bishop, welcomes the decision to detach it from the Diocese of Chittagong. After ten years of requests, their efforts “have been successful”. Now the pastoral outreach “will give priority to service, not only for Catholics, but also for others, to bring them the witness of Christ”.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – “The new diocese will give priority to service, not only for Catholics, but also for others, to bring them the witness of Christ," said Mgr Lawrence Subroto Howlader during the ceremony at Udayan High School that marked the official inauguration of the new Diocese of Barisal.

With the latter, Bangladesh now has seven dioceses, plus the Archdiocese of Dhaka. Some 2,500 people, including two archbishops, six bishops and 200 priests from all over Bangladesh, attended the event.

The diocese is home to “16,000 Catholics in an area inhabited by 15 million people,” its new bishop said. "We serve with care and love. The diocese runs three high schools, six clinics and many other facilities.”

Born in Nobogram, Barisal, the prelate was until its new post the auxiliary bishop of Chittagong, which used to include Barisal, 123 kilometers south of Dhaka. "I thank priests, nuns, religious brothers, and catechists who have nurtured Catholics’ faith in this area, which is why we have created a new diocese."

Pope Francis established the Diocese of Barisal on 29 December 2015. However, "We started the process of making Barisal a diocese ten years ago,” said Mgr Patrick D'Rozario, archbishop of Dhaka. “Thanks to our efforts we have been successful. Now the new bishop will be able to fulfill God’s will in the new diocese."

• bangladesh
• barisal
• diocese
• inauguration
• lawrence subroto