Dhaka celebrates the ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Gomes

The rite presided over by Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze in St Mary's Cathedral. ‘A gift to strengthen the various activities at the service of the diocese’. From the new bishop, who is 61 years old, the invitation to the people of God to support his ministry with prayer.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The ordination of Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes as the new auxiliary bishop yesterday was a great moment of celebration for the archdiocese of Dhaka. Presiding over the rite, held at St Mary's Cathedral in Ramna, was the capital's archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze.

About two thousand people were present, including Card. Patrick D'Rozario, eight Catholic bishops, 200 priests and nuns. Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Kevin Randall, and Religious Affairs Minister Faridul Haq Khan, also graced the event with their presence.

After the ordination, Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes expressed his deep commitment to preaching the Word of God, emphasising the importance of the cooperation and support of the Catholic community. He humbly asked for prayers for himself and the Church in Bangladesh, envisioning a society united in beauty and solidarity.

Acknowledging his own limitations, Auxiliary Bishop Subroto expressed gratitude to God and Pope Francis for the call to this new ministry, urging all Christians to accompany him with prayer.

In his homily, Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, emphasised the role played by the Catholic Church in Dhaka in pastoral care, spiritual guidance, humanitarian aid and administration, made possible thanks to the dedication and competence of the priests and people at various levels within the diocese.

Archbishop D'Cruze thanked Pope Francis for the gift of an auxiliary bishop to enhance the collaborative nature of the episcopal ministry and strengthen the various service activities of the diocese.

Archbishop Bejoy also commended Subroto Boniface for his exemplary service as a priest and assistant secretary of the Bangladesh Catholic Bishops' Conference, emphasising his simplicity, prayerfulness, sense of responsibility and compassionate nature towards the less fortunate.

Minister Faridul Haq Khan also praised the activities of the Catholic Church in Bangladesh, congratulating the new auxiliary bishop and wishing the prelate good health and long life.

Bishop Subroto Gomes, born on 19 November 1962, comes from Purbapara village in Rangamatia parish in Kaliganj, Gazipur, near Dhaka. A priest since 16 April 1990, he served initially as an assistant in the parish of Tejgaon.

For his commitment and leadership qualities, he was later appointed Assistant General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference and later Spiritual Director of the Holy Spirit Major Seminary. In his last assignment before his appointment as auxiliary bishop, Mgr Subroto had been parish priest of the Tejgaon parish.