ASIA/BANGLADESH - The Pope's Apostolic Letter "Desiderio Desideravi" is in Bengali, in a work by Cardinal D'Rozario

Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) - Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter 'Desiderio desideravi' has been translated into Bengali and been illustrated and commented for the benefit of the faithful in a book written by Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, Archbishop Emeritus of Dhaka. The initiative was the result of a debate among the bishops of Bangladesh: "We bishops thought that all the faithful in Bangladesh, priests, religious and laity, should know the message of the Apostolic Letter 'Desiderio Desideravi', to rediscover the liturgy as a place of privileged encounter with Christ. We thank Cardinal Patrick for his careful and competent translation work. The text will be very useful for the faithful in all dioceses and parishes", poited out Msgr. Gervas Rozario, Bishop of Rajshahi, at the presentation of the text, organized these days by the Bishops' Conference in Dhaka. "The Catholic bishops, but also all the faithful, appreciate it and thank you. This document is precious for the Catholic Church in our country, and the observations it contains are very important to us. On behalf of all the People of God I thank Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario", said Msgr. Bejoy N D'Cruze, current Archbishop of Dhaka and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh.
"In translating the Apostolic Letter, we wanted to remind the baptized of the importance of the liturgy, the truth and the beauty of the liturgical ceremony. We all need to be present at the Lord's Supper, we need to hear his voice, we need to feed on his Body and his Blood. In the Eucharist and in all the sacraments we can encounter the Lord Jesus and be reached by the power of his grace", explained the Cardinal who, as Bishop Emeritus, dedicates himself to study and writing, as his new mission at the service of the Church in Bangladesh.
Another recent publication of his,
in fact, is a text entitled "Education and service", focused on themes and issues of the Church's social teaching applied to the context of Bangladesh. About this last book, Father Tushar James Gomes said: "Social doctrine is a treasure of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Patrick has published that treasure in his book. It is a very useful book, which addresses issues such as human rights, human dignity, the educational work of the Catholic Church and interreligious dialogue, all issues inherent in our daily lives as Catholics in a nation with an Islamic majority.
The same Cardinal explains in this regard: "I wanted to dwell on the ministry of teaching. As a professor of theology, I felt the desire to extend the reflection on educational work. Priests, nuns and the faithful who are dedicated to teaching in Bangladesh will be able to find useful ideas for their mission". And he continues: "The text contains indications and reflections on social issues that I have drawn from the social doctrine of the Church, articulated according to the pastoral experience that I have lived during all these years". Then a special dedication: "I remember that, since my appointment as cardinal, in 2016, Pope Francis has contacted me personally every year to send me greetings and best wishes on the feast of St. Patrick, on March 17. As a sign of gratitude, I dedicate this book to Pope Francis on the occasion of his ten years of pontificate", he says.
Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, 80, has so far written and published 17 books in Bengali, on catechesis, spirituality, theology, for the use of the Catholic community of Bangladesh, some 400,000 faithful out of a population of 165 million inhabitants, 90% Muslims. (PA/FC) (Agenzia Fides, 17/6/2023)

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