Bangladesh Catholics thank God for their first Cardinal

Catholics in Bangladesh last week thanked God for their first Cardinal, Arch. Patrick D'Rozario, who received his red hat from Pope Francis on Nov. 19 in the Vatican.  At a thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 9, some 5 thousand faithful joyfully received him with festivities, dances and prayers in the Cathedral of St. Mary in Dhaka.  Among those who felicitated the new cardinal were many Christian associations, four Indian bishops including Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Calcutta, nine Bangladeshi Bishops and Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, Archbishop George Kocherry. On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Gowher Rizvi, her advisor for international affairs, was present.

Card. D'Rozario noted that Pope Francis has honoured Bangladesh by electing its first cardinal. “We are happy and full of joy because the Creator has blessed our country," he said. However, he stressed that his appointment is not a personal success, but an honour for the entire nation.  In his homily Arch.. D'Souza said, "Card. Patrick is a source of pride for all the Bengali people. Now he is a spiritual leader for the whole world. We are really proud of him. I hope he can be a symbol of peace for the country. "

The cardinal was born October 1, 1943 in the village of Padrishibpur in Barisal district, into a deeply Catholic family.  Card. D’Rozario has worked in parishes and also taught moral theology at the major seminary of the Holy Spirit in Dhaka.  He was Bishop of Rajshahi and Chittagong, before his appointment as Coadjutor Archbishop of the capital in Nov. 2010.  He succeeded as Archbisop of Dhaka in Oct., 2011.  He is also the current president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh.  (Source: UCAN)