Bangladesh Bishops to highlight dialogue, communion with poor at FABC meeting

August 10, 2009) Bangladeshi bishops say they want to work with their counterparts in Asia to create a community of dialogue and communion with the poor during the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences plenary meeting. "The majority of the world's poor live in Asia," said Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Dhaka, president of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of Bangladesh. "Therefore, the Church will be part of the poor." A three-member delegation -- Archbishop Paulinus Costa, Bishop Patrick D'Rozario and Bishop Gervas Rozario left Dhaka for the Manila meeting during the early hours of August 10. About 120 participants are expected for the August 10-16 assembly, which has the theme, "Living the Eucharist in Asia." Bishop Rozario who is scheduled to make a presentation at the assembly, said the Eucharist is not only the centre of Christian life, it is also a symbol of earthly food. He said he is concerned about how the rich have wasteful food habits whereas the poor cannot afford to buy food because of the high prices in Bangladesh. According to Bishop Rozario, the major challenges that the Bangladesh Church faces include "bringing economical and educational dignity among the very poor, especially the tribal communities." He stressed the need for a Catholic university in the country. Christians make up less than 1 percent of Bangladesh Population about 310,000 being Catholics.