ASIA/BANGLADESH - Auxiliary Bishop of Dhaka: "The rise in prices is weighing on people"

Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) - "The sharp rise in prices, especially for food and everyday goods, is weighing on people," said the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka, Subroto Boniface Gomes, in an interview with Fides. "The rise in prices of vegetables is causing considerable difficulties for low and middle income families," he stressed. "The faithful complain that shopping in the capital's markets, even for meat, fish and eggs, has become an arduous task.
How can families make a living? This is a priority that the government must address today." In this regard, Bishop Subroto Gomes hopes for "effective measures from the Yunus government." According to observers, the rains and floods that have hit several agricultural and vegetable-growing regions in the last two months have contributed to the rise in prices of products that form the basis of the diet of large parts of the population, especially the poor. According to the bishop, "this is one of the urgent issues facing us in the new year, while the country is in the midst of a political transition." Student protests that took place in Bangladesh between July and August 2024 led to the resignation and flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who found refuge in India while an "interim government" was formed that will lead the country for about two years before new elections are scheduled. Relations between the Catholic Church and the new government of Mohammad Yunus, said the bishop, are good and there is trust, "but we have asked that, at the level of representation of cultures and religions, some Christian representatives, regardless of denomination, be included in the government and in the commissions set up for reforms." The executive branch, meanwhile, has set up six committees to examine reforms in as many areas: electoral system, police, justice, anti-corruption, public administration and constitution. "It is important that our views are taken into account on so many aspects of the country's future," says Bishop Subroto Gomes. The Bishop also reports that the Jubilee Year was opened on January 8 in the various dioceses of Bangladesh and that "the Bangladeshi faithful dream of a pilgrimage to Rome." However, it is very difficult for Bangladeshi citizens to obtain entry visas to Italy and the European Union, and this also applies to the local Church. The Catholic youth movement 'Jesus Youth' is trying to organize a pilgrimage for young people on the occasion of the Holy Year and we hope it will be successful," he concludes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 13/1/2024)

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