Italian missionary honoured by Bangladesh government

October 22, 2012 - A Catholic priest was among 61 foreign nationals honoured by the government of Bangladesh on Sunday for their outstanding contribution to the birth of the South Asian nation in 1971. Italian Xaverian missionary priest Father Marino Rigon was conferred a Bangladesh Liberation War Honour and Friends of Liberation War Honour by President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a ceremony in Dhaka. Fr Rigon, who has worked in Bangladesh for over 40 years, helped war refugees and freedom fighters in 1971 in the parish of Baniarchar Catholic Church, Gopalgonj. A Hindu freedom fighter said: “Fr. Rigon saved hundreds. He provided food and shelter to refugees, also offered treatment to injured freedom fighters. He is a foreigner and his life was under threat, but his contribution to this country is incomparable.” Fr. Rigon was one of four Catholic priests – American Holy Cross Fathers Richard Timm and Eugene Homrich, who are still alive, and martyred priests Fr Mario Veronesi and Fr William P Evans – to be awarded this year. “As long as Bangladesh lives, her sky, air and soil will remain grateful for your contributions. You have consciously paid heed to the cry of humanity,” Sheikh Hasina said in her address.