CBCB Newsletter Vol. 9, Number II May August Editorial

Transcription

1 CBCB Newsletter Vol. 9, Number II May August Editorial The apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia ( The Joy of Love ) is mainly a document that reflects on family life and encourages families. But it is also the pope s reminder that the church should avoid simply judging people and imposing rules on them without considering their struggles. Pope Francis s groundbreaking new document asks the church to meet people where they are, to consider the complexities of people s lives and to respect people s consciences when it comes to moral decisions. We are called to accept people and behave with others with mercy. Using insights from the Synod of Bishops on the Family and from bishops conferences from around the world, Pope Francis affirms church teaching on family life and marriage, but strongly emphasizes the role of personal conscience and pastoral discernment. He urges the church to appreciate the context of people s lives when helping them make good decisions. The goal is to help families in fact, everyone experience God s love and know that they are welcome members of the church. All this may require what the pope calls new pastoral methods. The church must help families of every sort, and people in every state of life, know that, even in their imperfections, they are loved by God and can help others experience that love. Likewise, pastors must work to make people feel welcome in the church. Amoris Laetitia offers the vision of a pastoral and merciful church that encourages people to experience the joy of love. The family is an absolutely essential part of the church, because after all, the church is a family of families The church needs to understand families and individuals in all their complexity. The church needs to meet people where they are. So pastors are to avoid judgments which do not take into account the complexity of various situations. Overall, he calls for an approach of understanding, compassion and accompaniment. All members of the family need to be encouraged to live good Christian lives. Much of Amoris Laetitia consists of reflections on the Gospels and church teaching on love, the family and children. Marriage is between one man and one woman and is indissoluble; and same-sex marriage is not considered marriage. The church continues to hold out an invitation to healthy marriages. Seminarians and priests need to be better trained to understand the complexities of people s married lives. Ordained ministers often lack the training needed to deal with the complex problems currently facing families. In order to cope with the present complex realities of marriage and family life, there is a greater need of faith formation, formation of consciences of the people, formation of children and youth. Lay formation, lay involvement and participation in the activities of the Church and society needs to be strengthened in the light of the social teachings of the Church. With an integral vision of a better future, we all need more cooperation, collaboration and solidarity. The world is going through a crisis of true peace and security. World peace will be possible if we can have inner conversion, proper understanding of human right and dignity and accept one another as brothers and sisters. Let us all sincerely wish and pray for peace in the world. Wishing all our readers, benefactors and well wishers a happy and peaceful life!

2 24 National Christian Writers Workshop On April 28 to May 2, 2016 Episcopal Commission for Youth arranged 24 th National Christian Writers Workshop Different topics were discussed in the workshop on news writing or present the new, spot reporting, Bengali literature, poem recitation, Bible and its translations. One day all the participants had an exposure program in Christian Communication Centre. The intention was to have some practical experience on printing, recording and studio. In the closing program Mr. Theophil Nokrek, the Director of CDI was a special guest and Fr. Patrick Simon Gomes was the chief guest. Both the guests encouraged the participants to write and keep on writing to be good writers, and to focus on Christ as Christian Writers. The chief guest and the special guest distributed certificates to all the participants. FABC-OTC Annual Meeting The FABC-OTC annual meeting was held in New Taipei City, Taiwan from 3-8 May His eminence Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle, chaired the meeting. The draft working document for the XI FABC Plenary Assembly to be held in Colombo Sri Lanka from Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2016, was reviewed and sent our feedbacks and inputs to the FABC Secretariat. The discussion in the meeting includes popular piety/devotion which will be continued also in the next year before producing a final document of theological reflection; planned for the year 2017 and prepared the plan for BITA VI in 2018 in Bangkok. Two presentations were arranged on Towards Responsible Stewardship of Creation: An Asian Christian Approach (Ethical and Theological Implications) and on Give me a Drink. Including the Bishops and theologians 15 representatives from different countries attended the meeting. Asian Conference on the Family: SHEPHERDING FAMILIES IN ASIA FABC- Office for the Clergy and Office for Laity and Family jointly organized the Asian Conference on the Family: SHEPHERDING FAMILIES IN ASIA from May 16-20, 2016 in Hua Hin, Thailand. The objectives were to understand current challenges from specifically Asian perspectives on marriage and family life that are contrary to genuine Christian teaching; to empower bishops and priests with insights, means and guidelines in strengthening and safeguarding the sanctity of marriage and family life; and to motivate the participants to identify, explore and devise pastoral plans to promote and strengthen good Christian families after the example of the Holy family in Nazareth, sustained by the Trinitarian relationships. [ To achieve the above goals a series of lectures, interactions, plus appropriate workshops by regional groups were done. Bishop Mylo Vergara (from Pasig, Philippines) gave a situationer of families in Asia, sharing with us the results of FABC Survey done in November Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB (from Parañaque, Philippines), gave a Theological Foundation for Family Ministries, namely a Theology from Below (moving up) and a Theology from Above (moving down) that focuses on the Trinity s selfless self-emptying, loving relationship as the family s basis for human relationships. Mr. Frank Padilla (from Manila, Philippines) shared the intimate and critical relationship between family and evangelization. Mr. & Mrs. Chan Chee Seung (from Hong Kong) shared how they grew as a Catholic family as well as their ministry with families. Fr. Cajetan Menezes (from Mumbai, India) proposed a Pastoral Support to Families through Diocesan Parish and BEC (Basic Ecclesial Communities) or SCC (Small Christian Communities) structures. Highlighted was the Family Perspective as a whole parish approach to effective grassroots pastoral care. Archbishop Patrick D Rozario (from Dhaka, Bangladesh) talked on the Spirituality of Family as an Essential Component of Pastoral Care. He drew up a spirituality for family as proposed in chapter 9 of Amoris Laetitia (AL) and from his personal experience as Pastor. There were 99 participants from 14 Asian countries which include 14

3 bishops, 24 priests, 2 religious nuns, and 59 lay leaders, who are all involved in family ministry. Archbishop Patrick D Rozario, CSC and a four member delegation for Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi, CSC, (Chairman of EC- for Family Life) and Fr. Jyoti F. Costa (Secretary) and a married couple Mr. Jerry Cardoza and Mrs. Loretta A. Fraser attended the program from Bangladesh. Theological Seminar The Committee for Theological Concerns in Bangladesh (CTCB) organized a theological seminar on the theme Cleanliness is next to Godliness for the Major seminary professors and some selected priests form all the dioceses on May 17, 2016 at the Holy Spirit Major Seminary, Dhaka. There were two presentations followed by discussions in the morning session. Most Rev. Theotonius Gomes, csc, shared on the main theme Cleanliness is next to Godliness in the light of Laudato Si, and Mr. Atul Francis Sarker shared on Climate change and pollution: our imperatives about faith, reality and right behavior. Fr. Emmanuel K. Rozario conducted the workshop in the afternoon session where through group dynamism he brought our some priority issues of our context and indicated some practical steps of how to motivate people to transform current practices towards integrity of life and behavior. It was a moment of theological reflection and brainstorming. Altogether there were 19 participants. EC- for Dialogue and Christian Unity: Sompriti Day Celebration This year Sompriti Dibas was celebrated on 20 May, Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Mymemsingh, Dinajpur, Khulna & Barisal Dioceses celebrated harmony day with befitting manner by organizing seminar, discussion and rallies with Hindu, Muslin, Buddhist and Christian with all categories of people. Mass kit for Harmony day celebration is published and distributed to all over Bangladesh and observed more effectively as it has been preparing every year. Inter-religious Dialogue Training Course-2016 Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Inter-religious Dialogue organized a five full days yearly training course held at the Christo Jyoti Training Centre, Rajshahi diocese from May 18-23, 2016, with 78 participants from 8 dioceses. The participants both men and women, comprised of social workers, parish representatives, parish councilors, teachers, religious leaders, priests and catechists. Bishop Bejoy D Cruze, OMI, Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC, Bishop Gervas Rozario were present in the inaugural session and emphasized on the need and importance of dialogue. Subject matter and resource persons of the program were: a) Inter-religious dialogue (Bishop Bejoy D Cruze, OMI), Spirituality of dialogue (Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC), Pastoral Plan of the Catholic Church (Fr. Dilip S. Costa), Ways and Means of dialogue in day to-day life (Fr. Mimmo Pietanza, SX), Vatican Council II and post Vatican Theology (Fr. Patrick Gomes), Theology of the Universal Church (Fr. Ajit V. Costa, OMI), Introduction to Hinduism and Dialogue (Dr. Milon Baso, MBBS, FCPS), Dialogue and Islam (AKM Sahmsul Alam, Principal) Dialogue with Culture (Mr. Denis Baskey), Dialogue of Life (Robi D Costa) and Sharing of Experience of Dialogue ( Fr. Bob, MM). This course is helping people to have better understanding of dialogue and participants get involved in interreligious dialogue in their day-to-day lives. The purpose of the training program is mainly to prepare personnel and leaders for interfaith dialogue. Without question, the issue or relations among religions constitutes one of the most important matters at all levels of life within the international community as well as local community. There was an exposure and education tour to Banpara Catholic Church, Islamic Foundations, Masques, Temple and Pagoda. ASIPA III - NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP ASIPA THREE NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP ON Small Christian Communities was organized by CCP DESK from June 06 11, 2016 at CBCB Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh. Theme of the National Workshop was The Word of God is the Seedbed of SCC. The objectives of the

4 Workshop were- To deepen our understanding of a vision of the Church in a New Way of Being Church, to realize how SCC s strengthen us to be aware of the Word of God and practice it in our daily life, to understand how SCC s empower the Laity to take part in the Mission of the Church in the world and to acquire Gospel sharing method and a new leadership. There were altogether 76 participants from eight dioceses including CCP team members and Facilitators. The workshop was facilitated by CCP team members. Two resource persons Ms Bibiana Joo-Hyun Ro from Korea and Fr. Arthur Pereira from India helped us a lot to prepare this workshop and conduct the program. Workshop was inaugurated by Most. Rev. Patrick D Rozario, csc. He also gave an orientation session. The workshop includes sessions on various topics, exposure program to Nagori parish, group sharing, diocesan planning and a thanksgiving Mass. EC for Justice and Peace and Caritas: Seminar on Migration Issue With the theme `Our Rights and Dignity as a Migrant there were held a Seminar on the 10 th of June 2016 at Holy Spirit Major Seminary, Banani, Dhaka. About 200 participants attended the Program. Most of the participants were migrants from Adivasi minority community. The main agenda of the seminar was situation of indigenous people and their challenges and opportunities, spiritual and moral life. Mr. Sanjeeb Drong, Mr. Ranjan Francis Rozario, Regional Director, Caritas Dhaka Region and Mr. Theophil Nokrek, Secretary, ECJP gave presentations and conducted discussions. Rev. Fr. Joyonto Raksham, Vice Rector of Holy Spirit Seminary and Mr. Abul Khaer, Sr. Manager of Caritas also attended the seminar as guests. There was also open discussion for the participants to share their life situations. They found out ways and use their opportunities to lead better life. They were suggested to follow legal procedures when they migrate to other countries and also to lead better spiritual life. They expressed their desire to have such program every year. Annual Seminar and AGM-2016 of BDPF The annual seminar and AGM of BDPF (Bangladesh Diocesan Priests Fraternity) was held at the Christo Jyoti Pastoral Centre, Rajshahi Diocese on June, Along with 7 Bishops 130 diocesan priests were present in the program. The main theme of the seminar and AGM was Merciful Service of the Diocesan Priests. The two full days programs were followed by inaugural session, welcoming speech by Father Kamal Corraya the president of BDPF, short speeches by Bishops, presentation and talk on certain topics, sharing on priestly life experience, prayer and fellowship meal. The BDPF welcomed and congratulated the newly consecrated Bishop Shorot F. Gomes, newly ordained priests as well as to the jubilarian priests. Most Rev. Moses Costa, csc the Bishop of Chittagong diocese gave his presentation on the main theme Merciful Service of the Diocesan Priests. Rev. Fr. Tapan D Rozario, the former president of BDPF also gave a talk on Religion and Environment. There were also sharing sessions done by several priests on certain topics and sharing of life experience of the Jubilarian priests. Seminar and AGM was concluded by a solemn Eucharistic celebration and fellowship meal.

5 FABC- AMCU VII The Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU) VII took place in Medan Indonesia from July 13-16, There were 50 participants and Fr. Patrick Gomes of Rajshahi diocese participated from Bangladesh. Theme of AMCU VII was Crisis of Climate Change in our common home. Together we need to respond to the alarming signals in order to address the root causes of climate change and evolve strategies to mitigate the impact of these ecological issues on populations and communities. It is important to make people aware of this imminent danger for all of us. In order to do this we need to: a) provide key facts about climate change b) identify the causes of climate change c) explain the impact of climate change and d) propose ways by which to mitigate climate change and its impacts. Some practical suggestions were made in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change. 24 th AGM, Election and Seminar of the Catholic Nurses Guild The Annual General Meeting, Election and Seminar of the Catholic Nurses Guild was arranged on July 14-16, 216 at the CBCB Centre. The Theme fro this year was: Love of the Merciful Father in heaven is Ideal of service for Health Care Professionals. There were altogether 106 male and female nurses and health care professionals for these three days program. Dr. Edward Pollab Rozario gave a presentation on Merciful service in the lives of health care professionals. The other Subject matters and resource persons for the seminar were: Evidence based Nursing (Ms. Bobita Akter, Nursing Inspector, College of Nursing); Professional Development (Ms. Dolly Maria Gonsalves, Principal, Prime Bank Nursing College). The program also included Eucharistic Celebrations by Most Rev. Patrick D Rozario, CSC, Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC, Fr. Francis P. Marandy, Spiritual Director of the catholic Nurses Guild. They inspired the participants in their speeches to love and serve the sick and the suffering with a loving and merciful heart as the Heavenly Father. There was election during the AGM. Rev. Fr. Benjamin Costa, CSC, Fr. Francis P. Marandy and Dr. Edward Pollab Rozario were election commissioners. Professor Mabel D Rozario was elected as President of the Catholic Nurses Guild, Ms. Agnes Halder as Vice President, Ms. Leoni Lipika Rozario as Secretary and Mr. Raphael Biswas as Treasurer. The program was concluded with a visit to the Health Centre of the Catholic Nurses Guild at Saver. National Course for the Laity Unlike past years, the Episcopal Commission for Laity organized a five day Modular course for the representatives of laity at CBCB Centre on July 19 23, This is for the fifth time that this Commission organized this sort of course for the laity. Altogether 67 participated in the course from eight dioceses of the country. There were also representatives from RNDM Girls hostel, Caritas and representatives from Youth Commission, Priests and Religious. The purpose of the course was to know the Church, theological knowledge of the Bishops, priests, religious and laity in the Church, dignity, mission, participation and apostolate of the laity in the Church, to be more aware of the lay organizations in the Church and to be effective leaders. Subject matters and resource persons of the Course were: (a) Church in the light of the Bible (Fr. Emmanuel K. Rozario); (b) Theological analysis of the Church (Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC); (c) Vocation and Mission of the Laity in the Church (Bishop Shorot Francis Gomes); (d) Family as Domestic Church: Vocation, Mission and Spirituality (Fr. Jyoti F. Costa); (e) Catholic Social Teachings of the Church (Fr. Jyoti F. Costa); (f) (g) Small Christian Communities (Fr. Stanislaus Gomes); (g) Directives of the Church in Bangladesh (Archbishop Patrick D Rozario CSC); (h) Christian movements and organizations: nature, role and principles (Archbishop Patrick D Rozario CSC); (i) Formation and Spiritual life of the laity in the Church (Fr. Stanley C. Costa); (j) Christian

6 Leadership (Mr. Chayon H. Rebeiro). There was also Panel discussion by the Lay Leaders on Mission and Apostolate of the Laity. Archbishop Patrick D Rozario CSC was present both for the inaugural and closing Eucharistic Celebration and to distribute the certificates among the participants. Mr. Chayon H. Rebeiro, Secretary of Episcopal Commission for Laity and Sister Mary Mitali, SMRA, Sister Mary Amrita, SMRA, Ms Sandra Gonsalves were among the organizers. National Biblical Seminar The Episcopal Commission for Catecheties and Biblical Apostolate (EC-CBA) organized a national biblical seminar on the theme of Speak Lord, Your servant is listening (1Sam 3:10) from July 2016 at the Holy Spirit Major Seminary, Banani, Dhaka. Its aims and objectives were to train up the religion teachers, catechists and youths with the knowledge of the Holy Bible and to teach how to use the word of God in daily life for teaching, prayer and personal reflection. Our purpose was to present the salvation history and to introduce the whole bible with special emphasis on the OT books. Most Rev. James Romen Boiragi, the chairman of the commission opened the seminar with inaugural talk and offered the opening and concluding masses. Rev. Frs. Tapan De Rozario, Jacob S. Biswas, Patrick S. Gomes, Emmanuel K. Rozario and Mr. Robi Christopher D Costa were the resource persons. 60 participants from eight dioceses attended the seminar. The organizers distributed 60 Bible to the participants. National Seminar of EC for Family Life Episcopal Commission for Family Life organized a national seminar at Christo Jyoti Pastoral Centre, Rajshahi on July 21-23, The theme of the seminar was Analysis of the Present Challenges of Families, and Teachings of the Church on Marriage and Family. There were 68 participants from eight dioceses. This seminar was arranged for the members of the diocesan family commission and those involved and responsible for diocesan family planning and activities in the dioceses. The objectives were to be aware of the present challenges that affect families very much and how to analysis them in order to face complex realities and challenges, to know the teachings of the Church on Marriage and Family to be able to reflect different situations and to know and deepen our understanding that marriage and family is a call to lead a true Christian life and get involved more actively in family ministry. In order to achieve these goals there were presentations, group and open discussions. The topics were: Situational Analysis of the Challenges faced by our families, Reflection in the light of the Teachings of the Church on Marriage and Family, Main messages of the Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Teachings on Family Planning, Morality and Spirituality of the Family and Some Suggestions, Recommendations and Solutions to the Challenges of Families. The speakers were: Fr. Jyoti Francis Costa, Fr. Mintu L. Palma, Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi, CSC and Mrs. Lily A Gomes. The seminar also includes inaugural Mass, diocesan group discussions, open discussions, learning from film show on marriage and family. The participants expect very much such program at diocesan and parish levels. Youth Desk: World Youth Day 2016, Krakow, Poland It was a great and auspicious occasion for Episcopal Commission for the Youth to participate in World Youth Day from July 25 to 31, 2016 in Krakow, Poland. World Youth Day is an international Catholic event focused on faith and youth which was organized by the Catholic Church. They organized some programs before the main event called Days in Diocese from July 20 to 25. World Youth Day is a worldwide encounter with the Pope which is celebrated every three

7 years in different countries. The theme of World Youth Day 2016 was Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. (Mt 5:7). All dioceses in Poland organized a program called Days in Diocese. 72 Dioceses and we both Bangladesh and Malta stayed in Divine Mercy Parish (Oborniki City) for three days. During these days we stayed in families. It was a good experience to be with them. Though they do not know good English, but their simplicity, humility, patience and devotion to God encouraged all of us to practice and apply in our life. The World Youth Day celebrations also include holy World Youth Day 2016 hour, visiting historical places of Krakow, lightening of the candles from Divine Mercy Sanctuary, welcoming ceremony of the Holy Father for the event, rallies with national flags of different countries all the continents, a very meaningful Way of the Cross, night vigil on 31 st July where about 1.5 million youth gathered and spent time in praying, singing and dancing. The closing mass was at 9:00 a.m. In his homily the Holy Father Pope Francis said, On the feast of Pentecost disciples prayed whole night and received the power of Holy Spirit. They preached and carried the Good news all over the world. Dear friends today you are the living church. We are united in Christ. Let us discover Christ in our heart, he is inviting each one of us. Take the light of Christ and word of God. Be a channel of peace, have the new dream always and go forward. After mass he announced that our next World Youth Day will be in the year of 2019 in Panama. There were 21 representatives from Bangladesh headed by EC- for Youth. Bishop Subrato Lawrence Howlader, CSC, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Youth was with the group. Pilgrimage at Panjora for the Members of EC- for Laity The members of laity commission, diocesan representatives, members of CCP desk and Women desk altogether 35 made a pilgrimage at Panjora Saint Anthony s Shrine. There was an orientation and preparation for the pilgrimage on August 4, The members welcomed Most Rev. Shorot Francis Gomes the new Chairman of EC- for Laity and thanked Archbishop Patrick D Rozario, CSC the outgoing Chairman who served as Chairman of EC- fro Laity for the last years. He worked hard to make this commission very active, formative and participative in the local Church of Bangladesh. The group left CBCB Centre around 7:30 a.m. and reached Panjora around 9 a.m. Archbishop explained to them regarding pilgrimage and the meaning of entering through the holy door. All entered through the holy door and prayed. Fr. Stanley Costa shared about the holy year of Mercy. Fr. Albin Gomes assisted in sharing the Holy Bible. There was personal confession and a concelebrated Mass presided over by Archbishop Patrick D Rozario, CSC. Course on Development of Women Leadership in the Church Women Desk under EC- for Laity organized a course like other years on Development of Women Leadership in the Church from August 11-13, 2016 at CDI in Caritas, Bangladesh. There were 42 participants from eight dioceses, from Nokmandi Girls hostel, Dhaka Credit, Housing Society and Caritas. There were 42 participants from eight dioceses, from Nokmandi Girls hostel, Dhaka Credit, Housing Society and Caritas. The objectives were: to be aware of the situation of women in Society and the Church, to inspire and enlighten the women regarding women s dignity, rights and roles in the light of the Social Teachings of the Church, Empowerment of women and their skill development. To achieve this goal there were presentations on the following topics: Situation and place of women in Society and Church, Women in the Social Teachings of the Church, Roles of men and women, Women in the Bible, Empowerment of Women in the Church, Patriarchal society

8 and its impacts, Places and Opportunities of work of women in the Church etc. The Speakers were: Archbishop Patrick D Rozario, CSC, Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC, Ms. Roseline Rita Costa, Sr. Pauline Gomes, CSC, Mr. Chayon H. Rebeiro and Sr. Mary Mitali, SMRA. Bishop Shorot F. Gomes celebrated the Inaugural Mass and Archbishop Patrick celebrated the concluding Mass. The participants were happy and grateful to have such a course and were inspired to play active roles in society and in the Church in their respective places. Program for Hostel Directors There was a seminar for Dhaka City Hostel Directors and the students on the main theme Form yourself and help others to be formed on August 12, 2016 which was organized by Episcopal Commission for Youth. The Seminar began with a prayer. In the first session Father Adam S Pereira, CSC shared on the theme Lead the hostel with the present situation and the use of internet. In the second session Brother Ripon James Gomes, CSC spoke on Understand and walk with the Students. In the third session there was a presentation on relation with parents and with others by Mr. Jyoti A Gomes and Sr. Shongita Gomes, RNDM followed by open discussion, there were students asked many questions in order to face the challenges in their lives. The whole day program was arranged into two parts. The first part was in the morning for the Directors and there were 39 participants and the second part was in the afternoon for the students and 69 students were present. Reception to Dr. Benedict Alo D Rozario and (late) Advocate Promode Mankin The Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) gave an honorary reception on August 19, 2016 to Dr. Benedict Alo D Rozario and (late) Advocate Promode Mankin at the CBCB Centre. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh decided in their meeting held in March 2016 to give honorary decoration from Rome to Dr. Benedict Alo D Rozario and Advocate Promode Mankin for their excellent services to the Church, society and to the nation and outside the country as well. The process started after the CBCB meeting in March but unfortunately Advocate Promode Mankin, MP expired in April before he was given the honor. The reception program started with words of welcome by Bishop Most Costa, CSC, the Secretary General of the CBCB followed by a 15 minutes prayer service, welcoming dance, short speeches by Archbishop Patrick D Rozario and Archbishop George Kocherry, the Apostolic Nuncio. Dr. Benedict is given the title Pro Eccelesia Pontificio by the Pope from Rome. Archbishop Patrick D Rozario, CSC and Apostolic Nuncio gave him the special Papal Medal and Certificate brought from Rome. The CBCB requested for Advocate Promode Mankin the title Knighthood of St. Gregory the Great. Since expired, all present at the reception ceremony prayed for him and his wife was given a special silver Papal medal from his son, newly elected MP Jewel Areng was given a special golden Key-ring from Rome. Most Rev. Bejoy D Cruze, OMI read out the life and contribution of Dr. Benedict Alo and Most Rev. Ponen Paul Kubi, CSC shared about the life and contribution of (late) Advocate Promode Manikin, MP. Most Rev. Patrick D Rozario, CSC, gave meaningful reflections on both of their lives. Archbishop Patrick D Rozario, CSC, Archbishop George Kocherry, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Bangladesh and eight other Bishops, Dr. Benedict Alo D Rozario and his family members, Mrs. Mamota Areng, wife of late Advocate Promode Mankin, Mr. Jewel Areng, the newly elected MP and son of late Advocate Promode Mankin and 5 other relatives, Caritas Directors, Regional Directors of Caritas, Major Religious Superiors, Priests, selected lay leaders and distinguished guests were present at the reception ceremony. Board of Editors: Fr. Jyoti F. Costa, Fr. Angelo Martyn, OMI, Fr. Subroto B. Gomes, Mr. Sukumar Mullick Published by CBCB Secretariat, 24/C Asad Avenue, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207 E mail: cbcbsec@gmail.com Web site: