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| Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rangamatia |
The Bell Rings!
The simple belltower standing upright the sky close to
the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rangamatia comes alive three times a day –
morning, noon and evening. The ringing of the bell sends soundwaves across
villages dotting vast, lush green paddy fields bisected and washed afoot by a serpentine
canal that connects the massive, legendary Belai Beel (marshland). The
sound of the bell is a proud declaration of the centuries-old faith, joys and
anguish, struggles and triumphs of a simple, resilient and extraordinary
Christian community.
The parish has more than 3,700 Catholics from diverse
backgrounds and professions, from farmers and day laborers to government and
private jobholders, from permanent residents in six villages to non-residents living
in cities and towns. Every family has remarkable stories of challenges and
achievements, from the impoverished agrarian life to modernities, from
illiteracy to academic excellence and from plunging to pitfalls to rising like
phoenix bird.
Every story is blended with the strong faith in God inherited from their ancestors and love for family. From birth to death the life of local Catholics evolves around the simple but historic parish Church that marked glorious centenary in 2023. This wonderful saga of faith, hope and love is a testimony to the advent, growth and progress of Catholicism in Bangladesh in the past centuries.
Humble Beginnings
The exact year of beginning of the Catholicism in
Rangamatia is largely unknown due to lack of historic documents. It is believed
to be as old as the history of Catholicism in Bhawal region of Dhaka, one of
the country’s oldest and largest Catholic strongholds. The first Catholics were
mostly lower-caste Hindus who relied on farming and fishing for livelihood.
They started embracing Christianity in the 17th century thanks
evangelization by European (Portuguese) missionaries. Many converted to
Catholicism following the great efforts by Dom Antonio da Rozario, the son of a
Hindu king converted to Catholic faith by a Portuguese priest. Dom Antonio is
credited for converting thousands of Hindus in Bhawal and Atharogram region of
Dhaka throughout the 17th century. He is considered the unsung hero
in the history of Catholicism in Bangladesh.
Portuguese missionaries established St. Nicholas of
Tolentino Church in Nagari in 1695, which became the hub of Catholicism in
Bhawal. First Catholics in Rangamatia came under the jurisdiction of Nagari Church.
In 1836, St. John the Baptist Church was founded in Tumilia and Catholics of
Rangamatia became part of the new parish due to its proximity to their
villages.
Until 1890, a priest from Tumilia paid regular visits to
Rangamatia and offered Sunday Mass for local faithful in Catholic villagers’
houses. The first Church built in 1892 was made of bamboo and tin, on a land
that is now the parish cemetery. It was blessed on 14 November of that year.
The first church collapsed following a heavy storm in 1898 and a new church was
built. The first primary school for boys was set up in 1900 on the land of
present-day nuns’ convent. The school was later relocated. Later, a separate
primary school for girls was set up only to be discontinued soon.
The second church became dilapidated, and it was replaced
with the third church, which was almost destroyed in another storm in 1919.
Then, the priest in-charge bought a piece of land from a Hindu family and
established a concrete-made tin-roofed church in 1923. At first the church was named
“Holy Family Church.” Soon, the church was renamed “Sacred Heart Church.” In
1924, the Church was blessed with a resident priest for the first time, marking
a new era for the parish. The first parish priest was Goanese missionary priest
Father Joachim da Costa.
During the tenure of Father da Costa, an unpleasant
incident sparked an uproar among local Catholics. Due to unknown reasons, some
Catholics pressured the priest for removal of aged pundit (teacher) from the
primary school, but the priest disagreed. In response, parents stopped sending
their children to the school allegedly on the advice of some village leaders.
The priest punished those leaders imposing ban on receiving sacraments. In
retaliation, those leaders invited a Baptist pastor to set up a Baptist Church
and they became Baptists. Bishop Armand Lagrand intervened, withdrew Father da
Costa and imposed an edict (official ban) on the use of Catholic Church. For a
period, local Catholics once again started visiting Tumilia Church for Sunday
Mass. Later, the edict was withdrawn and a new parish priest, American Holy
Cross Father Hennessy was appointed. Thanks to his efforts most Catholics
returned but six families remained as Baptists. Their descendants still use the
Baptist Church.
American Holy Cross missionaries bought adjoining land to
construct the presbytery, the nun’s convent, and a dispensary. Among the
notable Holy Cross priests were Father Henessy, Father Timothy Crowley (later
Bishop of Dhaka), Father Gerald McMahon and Father Charles Howitzer. Holy Cross
nuns set up a Middle School for local boys and girls, but it was closed in
around 1953.
The current building of the Holy Angel’s Convent was
constructed in 1940. Holy Cross Sister Mary Estel became the first convent
superior. The first batch of nuns who served the parish were two Holy Cross and
two SMRA sisters.
Years later, the boys’ school became a combined primary
school, making it the only local education institute to cater basic education
to students irrespective of caste, creed and gender. Due to social conservatism
and lack of classrooms, boys and girls attended classes in shifts – boys in the
morning and girls in the afternoon. At beginning two Muslim teachers, popularly
called Pundits, taught students and later a learned Christian, Matthew Costa
(Matthew Pundit) joined the school to teach Christian religion. In 1948, the
school became co-educational and religious nuns took over the administration.
Later, the school obtained government recognition, paving
the way for receiving state funding and now it is known as Rangamatia
Government Primary School. The pioneering school celebrated its centenary
jubilee in 2001.
For years, the parish had no separate cemetery, so local
Catholics used the Tumilia Parish cemetery for burial of their loved lost ones.
In 1942, parish priest Goanese missionary Father Anthony D’Souza built the
current cemetery on the bank of the canal. On March 1 of the same year, the
first deceased Catholic was buried in the cemetery.
Following Bangladesh independence from Pakistan in 1971,
the parish area witnessed notable developments. Father Paulinus Costa (later
Archbishop of Dhaka) constructed a new concrete church building and a two-storied
presbytery. In 1975, thanks to great efforts of the local Catholics the first Secondary
School was built. For decades, Rangamatia High School was located within the
premises of the church compound. It has been recently relocated to a better,
spacious ground adjacent to the primary school. Religious nuns from the
Associates of Mary Queen of Apostles (SMRA) congregation are entrusted with the
management of the school.
Over the years, Scared Heart Parish paved way for various
religious and lay organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul Society, Help of
Christians Society, Morning Star Society, Legion of Mary, and Christian
Cooperative Credit Union. The Church now has two sub-centers in Joyramber and
Sa-Ra-De villages, where priests offer Sunday Mass regularly in the chapels.
Founded in 1963, Rangamatia Christian Cooperative Credit
Union is the sole financial organization credited for socio-economic
advancement of local Catholic community. The organization now offer various
services such as livelihood and skills training, stipend to meritorious poor
students, financial support to parish programs, leadership and empowerment
training.
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| Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrated Centenary Jubilee on Dec. 27-28, 2023 |
Rejected Stone Turns Cornerstone
From the beginning, Catholics in Rangamatia have been
known for their hardworking spirit, resilience and strong faith in God. They
have been traditionally devoted to Blessed Virgin Mary and other popular
Catholic saints such as St. Joseph and St. Anthony of Padua. But they have been
largely poor and uneducated people. Even today, about of half of local
Catholics hail from low-income groups such as farmers and fishers. Due to their
poor socio-economic backgrounds, they have been long neglected and despised by
people of other faiths and even Catholics from other parts in Bhawal and
elsewhere.
For ages, a division between Catholics of tengor (highland)
and chowra (lowland) areas existed in Bhawal. Out of nine parishes in
Bhawal today, three parishes – Tumilia, Doripara and Rangamatia are considered chowra
areas because of people’s traditional agriculture life and agricultural life
cycle. People of Rangamatia are considered “the most chowra” among chowras
because of their high dependence on agriculture.
People of tengor, who were relatively wealthy as they
relied mostly on private jobs, viewed chowra people as lower class and
looked down on them. Catholics were no different. There are plenty of cases how
tengor Catholics felt uncomfortable to socialize with chowra
Catholics and even refused to marry off their daughters to chowra males,
fearing their daughters would end up working too hard in fields and homes, and
become lower-class. A similar mindset also prevailed among many Catholics in
Atharogram (Eighteen Villages) region of Dhaka, where parents did not entertain
the idea of maintaining social and family relationships with Bhawal’s chowra
Catholics for many years. This kind of stigma and discrimination are
unfortunate, but these were realities for decades.
In the course of time, things have greatly changed as chowra
Catholics have struggled hard, got higher education, secured better jobs and
became solvent. Those discriminations are gone and now part of history. The
chowra have catapulted themselves into the higher echelons of society.
Rangamatia Catholic Church have produced some of the best known and prominent
Christians who left a lasting legacy on the society, Church and state. They
have proved the Biblical verse true: “The stone that the builders rejected has
become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our
eyes'?" (Mark 12:10-11)
The Torchbearers
Over the century, Sacred Heart Church gave birth to great
sons and daughters who can be called guiding lights of society and the Church.
The parish has produced a total of 34 priests and three bishops (including one
archbishop). Among them 9 priests and two bishops have passed away. Today, 25
priests and one bishop from Rangamatia parish have been taking care of Lord’s
Vineyard at home and abroad.
A notable number of religious brothers and hundreds of
nuns from the parish have served at home and aboard.
By far and large, Rangamatia Parish has been a leading
light and fertile land in priestly and religious vocations. In terms of
priests, the parish ranks second in Bangladesh, after Tumilia Church. It is a
sign of divine blessings!
The parish has gifted society and the state some
pioneering leaders, entrepreneurs and intellectuals including academics,
writers, journalists, doctors, nurses, artists, singers and so on. They have
contributed immensely to the parish, Christian community, the state and beyond.
Their virtuous lives are sources of inspiration and guidance for present and
future generations.
Due to space limit and lack of data, this article will
highlight life and works of only some departed luminaries (except for two
clergies). Details of religious priests, brothers and nuns have been covered in
other articles of this publication.
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| Priests and religious from Rangamatia Scared Heart Church who joined golden jubilee celebrations on Dec. 27-28, 2023 |
Bishop Francis A. Gomes
Francis Anthony Gomes was born on April 30, 1931. He
spent his childhood and had primary education in Rangamatia. Possibly in 1952, his
family migrated to Mothurapur Church at Pabna district in northern Bangladesh. However,
during his time in home parish, he entered Little Flower Seminary in Bandura
and studied at Bandura Holy Cross High School. From 1953-1959, he studied
Philosophy and Theology in Rome. He was ordained a diocesan priest in Rome on
Dec. 20, 1959.
As a priest Father Francis spent most of his life among
ethnic indigenous people, particularly Garo, in Mymensingh region, which was
part of Dhaka Diocese. He also served in various parishes in Dhaka, Khulna and
Sylhet regions.
In 1971, Bangladesh war of independence from Pakistan
started and most foreign priests were sent back to Dhaka for safety. Bengali
priests like Father Francis continued to serve people despite dangers and
life-threatening situations. During that time, he was the parish priest of
Bhabarpara Parish in Meherpur. Thanks to a historic event his name has been
engraved in the history book forever.
On April 10, 1971, Bangladesh’s Declaration of
Independence was proclaimed, and the Provisional Government-in-exile was formed
headed by pioneering leader Tajuddin Ahmad as the prime minister, in India. The
oath-taking ceremony of the government was held on April 17, at Mujibnagar,
near the Bhabarpara Parish. During the ceremony, a table and some chairs from
the Church were used and Father Francis read Bible during the brief historic
event. Thus, he became an indelible part of Bangladesh history.
Father Francis also played important roles a rector of
three seminaries – Little Flower Minor Seminary, St. Joseph’s Intermediate
Seminary and Holy Spirit National Major Seminary—in between 1969 and 1984.
From 1984-1987, he was in Rome to study Missiology. On
June 6, 1987, he was appointed the first bishop of Mymensingh Diocese, which
was created by taking northern parts of Dhaka Archdiocese. He retired as a
bishop on Sept. 1, 2006.
Bishop Francis A. Gomes considered the father of
Mymensingh Diocese for immense contributions in pastoral life, spirituality,
clergy and laity empowerment and infrastructural development in the diocese. He
created various new parishes and helped those to sustain and develop with
spiritual and material support, his love, compassion and humility.
One of his remarkable achievements was declaration and
created of Our Lady of Fatima shrine in Baromari parish in 2000, as part of
spiritual preparations for the Jubilee of Jesus Christ’s birth. The shrine is
now one of most popular Catholic pilgrimage sites in Bangladesh, and it draws
tens of thousands of devotees from all over the country during annual feast
day, and year-round.
Bishop Francis A. Gomes passed away on Feb. 17, 2011.
Archbishop Paulinus Costa
Paulinus Costa was born on Oct. 19, 1936, at Choto Satani
Para village. He was the fourth among
four sons and two daughters of his parents. He was known as a sincere child,
dedicated alter server and a disciplined and meritorious student in his
childhood.
He joined Little Flower Seminary to become a priest.
After completing his graduation, Paulinus Costa was sent to Rome where he
studied Theology in Rome, where he was ordained a priest on Dec. 21, 1963.
For about ten years, Father Paulinus Costa served in
various parishes as assistant parish priest and parish priest. For the next 19
years, he was the rector of the country’s only Holy Spirit National Major
Seminary, becoming the longest-serving rector in its history. During his time,
a total of 140 native seminarians became priests.
Father Paulinus Costa served various administrative roles
in Dhaka Archdiocese for many years and demonstrated his skills as an efficient
administrator. He was vicar general of Dhaka Archdiocese during the tenure of
Archbishop Michael Rozario, the second Bengali prelate of the archdiocese. He
also studied Sacred Theology in Rome and obtained a doctorate degree
Thanks to his great acumen as a pastor, rector and
administrator, he was appointed the bishop of Rajshahi Diocese in northern
Bangladesh on Jan. 18, 1996. He is credited for strengthening Rajshahi Diocese
pastorally, spiritually and administratively during his time.
He was appointed Archbishop of Dhaka on July 9, 2005, and
was installed as the third Bengali Archbishop on Sept. 9 of that year.
Archbishop Paulinus Costa served as the president of Catholic Bishops’
Conference of Bangladesh and the General Body of Catholic charity, Caritas
Bangladesh. He was the chairman of Episcopal Commission for Social
Communication and Radio Veritas Bengali Service.
He retired on Oct. 22, 2011, upon reaching the age limit.
He had suffered from various age-related ailments for years. He breathed his
last on Jan. 3, 2015.
Bishop Subroto B. Gomes
Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes is the third bishop hailing
from Sacred Heart Church in Rangamatia. He was born on Nov. 19, 1962, in
Rangamatia village. He studied in Rangamatia Primary School, Tumilia High
School, St. Nicholas High School, Nagari and then in Notre Dame College, Dhaka.
From 1976-1981, Subroto B. Gomes was a candidate for
religious brotherhood in Holy Cross Congregation. He later joined priestly
formation and studied at St. Joseph’s Seminary and Holy Spirit Major Seminary
in Dhaka from 1982-1989. He was ordained a diocesan priest in Rangamatia on
April 16, 1990.
Father Gomes served in various parishes in Dhaka
Archdiocese for years. From January 1993-January 1997, he studied at the
University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines and obtained a licentiate degree
in Philosophy.
From 1997-2007, he taught in the Holy Spirit National
Major Seminary, was involved in the formation of seminarians and served as the
Dean of Studies. He also the editor of Prodipon, a theological journal of the
seminary.
From 2007-2014, Father Gomes served as director of CBCB
Center and assistant secretary general of the CBCB. He served in the various
commissions Dhaka Archdiocese and was the chancellor of the archdiocese from
2018-2019.
Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Dhaka on
Feb. 15, 2024. He was installed as the auxiliary bishop on May 3, 2024.
Monsignor Michael D’Costa
Father Michael D’Costa is known as a legendary priest and
a versatile genius. Born on Feb. 1, 1903, at Choto Satani Para village in a
middle-class farming family, Michael learned prayers, Rosary and devotion to
God at an early age. He lost his parents early and his elder brother and
sister-in-law raised him like their son. He studied in schools in Rangamatia,
Tumilia and Nagari parishes. He was known as a playful and courageous child.
Michael joined Little Flower Seminary at the age of 16,
thanks to support from American Holy Cross priest Father Timothy Crowley (later
Bishop of Dhaka). From 1928-1935, Michael along with four seminarians studied
in two seminaries in India – St. Joseph’s Papal Seminary in Mangalore
(Karnataka) and Major Seminary in Travancore (Kerala). He was ordained a priest
on Dec. 20, 1936. He was the first priest from Rangamatia and possibly the
first diocesan priest from Bhawal region.
Father Michael D’Costa served in various regions
including Dhaka, Mymensingh, Dinajpur, Khulna and Chittagong over the years. He
spent his notable time working among ethnic indigenous communities in
Mymensingh. He was known as a prayerful, dedicated and caring pastor
everywhere. He established himself as a friend of the poor. He always wanted to
become a missionary, so he became extremely happy when his bishop sent him to
work among Garo people in Mymensingh. He considered Mymensingh as his mission
territory.
Father Michael was a man of many virtues. He penned and
tuned several songs, wrote two books – Amar Shikar Kahini (My Stories of
Hunting), Smritikotha (Memoirs). He was a prolific hunter who hunted
dozens of tigers, pigs and other wild animals in forested, remote regions while
serving as a parish priest. He used to wear priestly cassock during the day,
and hunting dress at night.
He was honored with the title of monsignor for his
long service for the Church and the society.
Father Mihcael retired from active ministry in 1975 after
falling sick. For the next five years, he received treatment for various
ailments including high diabetic and blood pressure. He breathed his last on
Dec. 5, 1980, and was buried in Sacred Heart parish cemetery.
Father Jacob Desai
Born on Sept. 11, 1906, Jacob Desai, joined priestly
formation in Little Flower Seminary, Bandura thanks to encouragement from
seminary founder, Holy Cross missionary Father John Delany. He then studied in
St. Joseph’s Seminary in Mangalore of India for seven years. He was ordained a
priest in Mangalore on April 6, 1937.
Father Jacob Desai in various parishes in Dhaka and
Mymensingh regions for about 48 years. He was the rector of Little Flower
Seminary.
He was a notable writer, poet and comedy writer. He
served as the editor of Weekly Pratibeshi for two terms. He was known as a
jolly person to everyone.
He was famed for his “water treatment” therapy that saved
lives of many people. For years, he was a diabetic patient. He died on Feb. 11,
1985.
Father Peter Desai
Peter Desai was born on Oct. 23, 1912. He joined Bandura
Seminary in 1927. He studied in St. Albert’s Seminary, Ranchi, India, from
1934-1940. He was ordained a priest in Ranchi on Oct. 3, 1940.
Father Peter served in various parishes in Dhaka,
Mymensingh and Sylhet regions for decades. He was known as foresighted man and
efficient teacher. Besides pastoral services, he bought land for parishes
wherever he worked. To ensure Christian presence, he helped Christian families
to migrate to new parishes. He was a good sportsman and hardworking person.
During his time in Hashnabad parish of Dhaka, he used to
ride horse to look after zamindari properties inherited from Portuguese
missionaries.
He breathed his last on Dec. 31, 1992, following 51 years
of priestly ministry.
Monsignor Peter A. Gomes
Peter A. Gomes was born on Nov. 8, 1919, into a peasant
family. Like his predecessors, he joined Bandura Seminary in 1931. He studied
philosophy and theology in St. Albert’s Seminary in Ranchi of India from
1939-1945. He along with two other Bangladeshi deacons he was ordained priest
in Ranchi on June 8, 1945.
Father Peter served in various parishes in Dhaka,
Mymensingh and north Bengal for years. During 1971 liberation war, he was
parish-priest of Tejgaon Church in Dhaka, and he served people despite
life-risks during the conflict.
Earlier, he served as temporary director of English
Bulletin and Weekly Pratibeshi during his time as the assistant parish priest
of Luxmibazar Parish.
From 1969-1990, he was the vicar general of Dhaka
Archdiocese. Following the death of Archbishop T.A. Ganguly (1977-1978) he was
the administrator of the archdiocese. He served as consultants during the time
of Archbishop T.A. Ganguly and Archbishop Michael Rozario. He was the spiritual
director of Bandura Seminary from 1988-1993 until his death.
Catholic Church honored him with the title of monsignor
for his long service to the Church and the society.
Father Alexander Alichan D’Costa
Born on Oct. 10, 1906, in Choto Satani Para village, Alexander
(Alichan) D’Costa was a leading priest of his time. He studied in Little Flower
Seminary, Bandura and a Catholic seminary in Ranchi, India, before his priestly
ordination on Jan. 25, 1938, in his home parish. It was the first ordination of
native priest that sparked immense joy among local Catholics.
Father Alichan served in various parishes in Dhaka,
Mymensingh and Sylhet regions for many years. He was a versatile genius and
multi-tasker.
He was a good footballer, biochemist physician, singer,
lyricist, musician, playwright, comic writer and hunter. He penned some popular
plays which were staged in various places. Some of his popular songs have been
listed in Geetaboli, a national Catholic hymnal. He was also known as a
kind-hearted and caring priest.
He died on Aug. 15, 1971, amid Bangladesh war of
independence from Pakistan. Thousands of people paid their last respects to him
during his funeral at his home parish.
Father Elias Rebeiro
Elias Rebeiro was born at Rangamatia village in 1920. He
had his primary education in Rangamatia Primary School. He studied in Bandura
Seminary from 1931-1941 and then he was sent to a seminary in India’s Ranchi to
study philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest in Luxmibazar parish in
Dhaka in 1949.
He obtained a Master’s degree in Social Science from the
USA in 1951. He also studied cooperative movement in Canada.
Father Rebeiro offered his pastoral service mostly to
indigenous Catholics in Mymensingh and Sylhet areas. He was known as simple,
humble, lively, wise, prayerful, caring, generous and responsible priest. He
was the spiritual counselor for many priests of his time. Despite being a
highly educated and erudite person, Father Elias Rebeiro a very honest and
polite person. He was good preacher, so people were fond of his sermon.
This humble servant of God breathed his last on Nov. 25,
1992, at the age of 72.
Father Francis Palma
Francis Palma was born on April 25, 1947, in Rangamatia
village. He studied in Bandura Seminary and Bandura Holy Cross High School. He
completed graduation from Morning Star College in India. He studied philosophy
and theology in National Major Seminary in Banani Dhaka. He has his pastoral
exposure in Germany and Philippines. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 27, 1979.
Father Palma served in parishes in Dhaka and Mymensingh
regions. He was known for his affable behavior, hardworking spirit and keen
interests in sports, reading books and music. He encouraged Catholics to get
education and become self-reliant. He was a good entertainer for his
parishioners.
Father Palma fell seriously ill while celebrating Holy
Mass in Nagari Parish on June 30, 2002. He lost consciousness which never came
back. He was buried in Rangamatia Church cemetery beside his late father’s
grave.
Father Amal Gabriel D’Costa PIME
Amal Gabriel D’Costa is the first native missionary
priest from Bangladesh. He joined the world-famous missionary religious
organization, Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) and became the
first Bangladeshi missionary priest to serve in Sierra Leone, then a
conflict-torn country in Africa. Since then he has served in various countries
including Italy, the land where PIME congregation was founded.
Bitu D’Costa
The actual date of birth of Bitu D’Costa is unknown.
However, it is a fact that he was a son of the Sacred Heart Parish. His home
village was Rangamatia.
Bitu D’Costa is known as a pioneering Christian social
worker and leader in Bangladesh. He worked with Caritas Bangladesh for 33
years. He was the executive director of Caritas Bangladesh from 1999-2005. He
passed away on April 13, 2015.
Bitu D’Costa’s daughter, Bina D’Costa, is a professor of
International Relations department at Australian National University. She is an
author, researcher and gender expert. For many years, she has been involved
with various global charities and agencies including UNICEF, UN Refugee Agency
and the UN Human Rights Council.
Jerome D’Costa
Jerome D’Costa is one of the most prominent lay figures
well known to Catholics in Bangladesh and beyond. Born in 1947 to
teacher-parents, Jerome D’Costa was a communication specialist, journalist,
writer, social worker and blogger who made immense contributions to Christian
literature, history, and culture through journalism, translating, editing and
social activities.
He joined a seminary to become a priest but left in 1966.
He studied journalism at Dhaka University and Communication Arts in the USA. He
was the only lay editor of country’s 84-year-old national Catholic publication Weekly
Pratibeshi (Neighbor) from 1981-1983. He also worked Asia’s leading
Catholic news agency UCA News and India-based South Asian Religious (SAR) News.
He worked as the public relations officer for Caritas
Bangladesh and then as the communication manager for World Vision Bangladesh
(WVB). He later became WVB’s associate director.
In 1988, he published Bangladeshi Catholic
Mondoley (Catholic Church in Bangladesh), the first book on the
history and growth of the local Catholic Church. The book covers a period from
the arrival of Portuguese Catholic missionaries in the late 16th century to the
visit of Pope John Paul II in 1986.
He wrote and translated important books including Christian
Theology Handbook, SecondVatican Council Document – Social
Instruction, Introduction to the New Testament of the Bible, Charles
de Foucault,Hero of the Desert, Come to Jesus, Power Relations in
Rural Development: Bangladesh Relations.
Arun Bernard D’Costa
Born in Choto Satani Para village, Arun Bernard D’Costa
was leading Christian businessman and social worker. For years, he worked as a
manager for Singer Bangladesh. He then started his own electronics supply and
distribution company and ran it successfully for many years until his death.
Arun Bernard D’Costa is hailed a pioneering leader in cooperative
credit union movement in Bangladesh. He was the president of the Christian
Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (Dhaka Credit) for three terms (1999-2002,
2002-2005 & 2011-2014). He earlier served as manager and director of the
nation’s largest cooperative organization and other Christian cooperatives. He
passed away on June 21, 2020.
Elias D’Costa
Elias D’Costa was also another pioneering Christian
philanthropist and social leader. He was a native of Rangamatia village. Elias
D’Costa was an alumnus and fellow of Haggai International, a US-based global
leadership institute.
For many years, he has worked with the United Nations
Children Agency (UNICEF). Elias D’Costa served in leadership roles in various
cooperative organizations. He was the chairman of the Metropolitan Christian
Cooperative Housing Society Limited for one term.
Mark D’Costa
Born in Choto Satani Para village, Mark D’Costa was
prominent writer, essayist, playwright and social leader.
For many years, Mark D’Costa worked in the Weekly
Pratibeshi in various roles. He was the successful head of the popular
Children’s Section of the weekly publication.
Agnes D’Costa
Agnes D’Costa was a teacher of the first kindergarten
school in Rangamatia. She was the mother of Jerome D’Costa, a prominent
journalist, writer, editor and translator.
Agnes D’Costa was a social organizer and one of the
founding members of Rangamatia Christian Cooperative Credit Union Limited in
1963. She was the first treasurer of the organization.
Independence Heroes
Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence is a memorable and
golden chapter in the history of Sacred Heart Parish. During the nine-month
blood-soaked war, many war refugees took shelter in the church. Local Catholics
raised funds and food to support the refugees for months. Many Catholics also
fled to other areas to save their lives during the war.
A total of 44 men from Rangamatia received guerilla
warfare training in India and fought against Pakistani invader military
valiantly. As per records, Rangamatia had the second highest number of
registered freedom fighters after Nagari Parish. Many of the fighters have
passed away but some are still alive to tell the remarkable stories of their
battle that led to the freedom for Rangamatia, Kaliganj subdistrict and
adjoining areas in Gazipur district.
Due to the high number of guerilla fighters, the military
targeted villagers in Rangamatia. About ten people were shot and killed, some
were seriously injured in military atrocities. The military also set fire to
several villages which were burned to ashes.
Sacred Heart Church has dedicated a memorial to honor the
war heroes and fallen victims. They are part of an unforgettable history of
sacrifice, resilience and freedom.
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| Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze, OMI and Bishop Subroto B. Gomes of Dhaka inaugurate golden jubilee memorial on Dec. 27, 2023. |
Call For Change
Catholics of Rangamatia Parish have been known for their
great virtues – hardworking spirit, religiosity, resilience and honesty for
decades. Their forefathers tilted soil and produced crops in abundance, and
some were known as capable fishermen like the disciples of Jesus Christ. Though
younger generations have largely ditched ancestral professions, they are
sincere and innovative in their jobs be it cooking, teaching, training,
tailoring, technical and others.
Due to education and other factors, the size of families
has reduced, from six to eight children to two children today. They are more
educated, better employed and better established.
However, there are social vices slowly intruding into the
lives of present generations. Senior Catholics often complain that young people
are less respectful, less concerned about education and stable jobs. Many have
lost religiosity unlike their parents and grandparents.
Growing alcohol addiction is a major social problem. For
centuries, serving locally made alcohol during family and social programs has
been a tradition among Christian families in Bhawal region. Today, alcohol
drinking has become something of a daily affair, triggering family and social
disputes.
Due to relative wealthiness and egotism, division and
disunity among local Catholics have become common. The simplicity and
all-accommodating spirit are largely absent. Leadership and power battle are
slowly becoming extreme and permanent.
These are the vices people of Sacred Heart Parish need to
uproot and overcome for good, for further advancement and progress toward the
next century.
The centenary jubilee is a time for reawakening, renewal
and reformation for every Catholic alive today. Every time the Church bell
rings, it’s a reminder of the legacy of the ancestors and the missionaries that
the current generation must carry forward in the days to come.
Author: Rock
Ronald Rozario is a journalist, writer and current news editor of international
Catholic news agency UCA News. This article was originally published in
Centenary Jubilee Souvenir Magazine of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rangamatia,
on December 2023. All rights reserved by the author.
References:
1. D’Costa,
Jerome: Bangladeshey Catholic Mondoli (Catholic Church in Bangladesh),
Part I, August, 1988, Pages 478-482.
2. Sarkar,
Louis Provat: Christianity and Christian Churches in Bengal (1573-1960), Vol.
I, August, 2002, Pages 9-12, 36-38, 65-79 & 165-174.
3. D’Costa,
Jerome: Bangladesh, Canada and Beyond blogsite.
4. Bangladesh
Diocesan Priest’s Fraternity: Bangladesher Proyato Dhormoprodehiyo
Bishop-Jajokborgo (The Deceased Diocesan Bishops-Priests of Bangladesh)
1900-2023: July 12, 2023, Pages 24-38, 44-50, 58-59, 62-73, 89-90, 106-109, 110-116
& 256-262.
5. Rangamatia
Government Primary School: Shotabdir Shrot (Centenary Magazine), February
23, 2001.
6. Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh: Catholic Directory of Bangladesh 2023, CBCB
Center, August, 2023.
7. Rebeiro,
Father Bulbul Augustine: Bhawal Shoronika, Bhawal Christian Milan Utsab,
North America, July 1, 2017, Pages 50-54.
8. Rebeiro,
Father Theotonius Proshanta: Contributions of Clergy and Religious of
Rangamatia Parish, Rojoto Joyonti Shoronika of Father Subroto B. Gomes,
Nov. 8, 2015, Pages 30-34.
9. Rozario,
Stephan Uttom: Catholics mourn prominent writer, journalist, UCA News, Nov. 8,
2022.
10. Palma,
Raphael: The enduring faith of a Bangladeshi Catholic farmer, UCA News, Nov. 8,
2023.
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