by Sumon Corraya

The priest, 76, composed more than 100 sacred songs in the Bengali language used every day in parishes across the country. He taught at the seminary and translated all the texts of the Second Vatican Council. Priests and faithful deeply moved: "He gave his all for the faith, may he rest in the arms of the Lord."

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church of Bangladesh "will never forget the huge contribution from Fr. Francis Gomes Sima, a 'genius' of sacred music and seminary professor loved by laity and religious. He gave his all for the faith, now rests in the arms of the Lord", priests and faithful gathered in the parish of St. Francis Xavier in Golla, birthplace of the priest tell AsiaNews.

Thousands of people gathered to pay their last respects to Fr. Sima, 76, who died on November 7. Fr. Alexius Jyoti Gomes, who has worked with him for decades, tells AsiaNews: "As a seminary professor, he taught almost all the bishops currently in office in the country. But his greatest contribution was in the field of literature: He translated all the documents of Vatican II,  published in the Catholic weekly Pratibeshi ".

His musical commitment deserves a separate chapter: "He composed about one hundred hymns, which today are sung every day in the parishes of Bangladesh. This music is of impressive beauty, and is collected in 16 audiotapes. He was really a genius in this area. "

Robi Christopher D'Costa, of Barisal district, recalls: "He was a simple, pious man and great communicator. He has given so much to the Church, especially in the field of liturgy and sacred music. We will never forget his contribution to our faith". Dominci Gomes concludes: "I can not believe that my old teacher is no longer here. I pay my last respects, but I am sure that he already rests in the arms and in the happiness of teh Lord".

• BANGLADESH
• catholic
• church
• death
• fr.
• sima