Cause opens for native Archbishop Ganguly of Bangladesh

(15 Sep 2006) : In a historic event, a solemn Mass was celebrated recently in Dhaka as the diocesan phase opened for the process of beatification of the first native archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly. of Bangladesh. About 3,000 people attended the Mass, including Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam, the apostolic nuncio, and Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Dhaka. In 1960 Pope John XXIII appointed Fr Ganguly the first native bishop of the then territory of East Pakistan, making him auxiliary of Dhaka. Five years later, Pope Paul VI appointed him coadjutor archbishop of the same place, eventually becoming archbishop at the age of 47. Four years later, after separation from the rest of the Pakistani territory, the country was named Bangladesh. The prelate died at age 57 from a heart attack. In his homily, Archbishop Costa mentioned that many lay people, both young and old, asked him to initiate his predecessor's process of beatification. "We will pray that God will grant a good outcome to this cause," Archbishop Costa said.