杏MAP导航

Bangladesh鈥檚 prominent Catholic Church leader regards the apostolic visit of 杏MAP导航 Francis to the 鈥巆ountry as a 鈥�pilgrimage to the soul of Bangladesh鈥�.   At the same time it is also the pilgrimage of the 鈥巔eople to their guest, Cardinal Patrick D鈥橰ozario, Archbishop of Dhaka, explained to 鈥嶸atican Radio in an interview ahead of the , after the Pontiff visits neighbouring 鈥嶮yanmar, Nov 27 to 30.   鈥�

With over 86% of its estimated 156 million population (2016) adhering to Islam, Bangladesh is home to 鈥巘he world鈥檚 4th largest Muslim populationafter Indonesia, Pakistan and India.   Around 10% of the 鈥巔eople are Hindus, and Christians and Buddhists make up less than 1 percent each of the population.   鈥嶢s of 2016, there are some 350,000 Catholics, or approximately 0.2 percent of the population. 鈥�

To know more about this visit of 杏MAP导航 Francis to the overwhelmingly Muslim nation, we called 鈥嶤ardinal D鈥橰ozario on the phone.  Speaking from his office in Dhaka, the cardinal, who is the president of the 鈥�(CBCP), explained what the Catholic Church of Bangladesh and the 鈥巒ation expect from 杏MAP导航 Francis and his visit. 

Card. D鈥橰ozario first spoke about what the Church expects from the papal visit.  First of  all, he 鈥巗aid, it will be 鈥渁 pilgrimage of the Holy Father to all the people of Bangladesh 鈥� a pilgrimage to the 鈥渟oul of Bangladesh鈥�.  Secondly, it will be 鈥巃 pilgrimage of the people to the 杏MAP导航 - to see him, meet him, listen to him and be near him.  This, the cardinal said, they will do by 鈥巔raying and worshipping together on the same ground. The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 programme includes the ordination 鈥巓f 16 sons of the soil to the priesthood and meetings with bishops, clergy, religious and lay people.鈥�

Regarding what the nation expects from the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 visit, the Archbishop of Dhaka pointed to three areas.  Besides being 鈥巃 spiritual leader, the 杏MAP导航 is also the head of Vatican City State.  In this regard, he said, the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 鈥巚isit will be a celebration of diplomatic relations between the two states, which was established 46 鈥巠ears ago, soon after Bangladesh鈥檚 independence. This relationship, the 74-year old cardinal said, is 鈥渧ery unique鈥�. mainly based on human, ethical and spiritual values.鈥濃��

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 visit will also be a 鈥�celebration of harmony鈥� of Bangladesh鈥檚 culture, as indicated by the logo and theme of the papal visit, 鈥淗armony and Peace鈥�.  Cardinal D鈥橰ozario said there will be a gathering of people of other religions and other Christian denominations. It will also be a 鈥渃elebration of harmony of inter-religious relationship鈥� involving young people in festive mood. 

Thirdly, the papal visit will also be an encounter between the 杏MAP导航 and the poor of Bangladesh, some of whom, the cardinal explained have rich evangelical values.   The visit will provide 杏MAP导航 Francis with an opportunity to listen to the voice of the country鈥檚 poor and take it to the 鈥巜hole world, especially regarding issues such as climate change, human rights and Rohingya refugees.  鈥�

Card. D鈥橰ozario also said that during his visit to Bangladesh, 杏MAP导航 Francis will recognize the 鈥�achievements of Bangladesh that is 鈥渘ow considered a role model for development.鈥�