Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mymesingh (Agenzia Fides) - “We are all very delighted with the arrival of the Salesian missionaries in our diocese. They will be a great help to us in evangelization, in youth ministry, in education, and in professional training, in the mission and among the tribal people. We are hoping for a bright future for the youth our territory.” This is what Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi of Mymesingh told Agenzia Fides in commenting on the new arrival of Salesians in his Diocese. The sons of Don Bosco set foot in Bangladesh on March 24, 2009, however their pastoral work has just recently begun, with the inauguration of the new pastoral year 2009-2010.
The first Salesian mission was opened in Utrail, in the civil district of Netrokona, nearly 55 km to the north of the city of Mymensingh. Netrokona is sadly noted for being one of the most underdeveloped and abandoned area of central Bangladesh.
The main mission of the Salesians there will be working with the tribal peoples of “Garo” ethnic origin, in addition to the poorest children and youth of the other ethnic groups in the area. As Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi told Fides, the Salesians will be entrusted with a new parish, to work on a pastoral level in spiritual and social renewal of the Christians.
The Diocese has also handed over the management of an elementary school, Saint Francis Xavier, to the Salesians. The school has 270 children from poor Christian, Muslim, and Hindu families. In the last six months, the missionaries have been trying to observe the situation, working for the improvement of teaching and the school in general, including the building. The Salesians are now looking for a piece of land to build a new school.
One of the goals of the Salesians in Bangladesh is that of contributing to the progress of the minorities and marginalized, especially the new generations, helping them to find new opportunities for social, cultural, and spiritual growth.
The Diocese of Mymesingh, in a territory with over 14.5 million inhabitants, has nearly 75,000 Catholics. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2009)
