ASIA/ BANGLADESH - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Rajshahi

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI appointed on 15 January 2007 Bishop of Rajshahi (Bangladesh) Rev. Gervas Rozario,of the clergy of Rajshahi, until now parish priest of Rohanpur and diocesan administrator.
Rev. Gervas Rozario was born on 15 August 1951 at Stiangaccha, in the diocese of Rajshahi. He attended local schools and then went to St. Joseph’s intermediate seminary Ramna, Dhaka, while attending courses at Notre Dame College. He completed studies in philosophy and theology at the national major seminary in Dhaka. He was ordained a priest on 31 December 1980 first for the diocese of Dinajpur, and was later transferred to the new diocese of Rajshahi created on 20 May 1990. He has ministered as follows: 1981-1983: assistant priest at Borni parish; 1983-1984: rector of the intermediate seminary at Suihari, Dinajpur; 1984-1987: assistant priest at Beneedwar parish; 1981-1987: diocesan coordinator of youth pastoral and vocation pastoral; 1987-1991: degree in moral theology at the Alphonsianum in Rome; 1991-1993: vice rector of the intermediate seminary at Ramna and Professor at Dhaka National Major Seminary 1994-1995: refresher courses at the Asian Religious Formation Institute" (AFRI) in SAIDI, Manila, Philippines; 1996-2004: Vice-rector, head master and Professor at Dhaka National Major Seminary; 1996-2005: member of Caritas Bangladesh committee. Since 2004 parish priest at Rohanpur, and Consultor; since 2005 diocesan administrator and president of the Bangladesh Fraternity of Diocesan Priests.
The diocese of Rajshahi, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Dhaka, was created in 1990. It has an area of 18,063 sq km., and a population of 15 million including 45,588 Catholics gathered in 16 parishes assisted by 40 priests (32 diocesan and 8 religious), and 89 women religious and there are 65 seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/1/2007; Righe 22; Parole 287