Bangladesh Church Gathers Media For Christmas

(December 27, 2008) Local media personnel felt encouraged when the head of the Catholic Church in Bangladesh recognized their work and the risks it sometimes involves. About 50 journalists and other personnel from various print and electronic media attended the "Pre-Christmas Celebration-2008 in Honor of Senior Media Persons" at the Archbishop's House in Dhaka. Major national newspapers and TV stations covered the event, as well as other Christmas celebrations in Dhaka. Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Dhaka, also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, hosted the program, which began at 11 a.m. on Dec. 24. Since his installation in 2005 as archbishop of Dhaka, the only archdiocese in the country, Archbishop Costa has held a Christmas program every year for media workers to highlight the important role he sees them playing in society. They provide "inspiration for life, light in the darkness," he said, calling on the gathering of mostly Muslim communicators to create a "culture of love and forgiveness" through their lives and work. "Putting their lives at risk, media workers inform us of many unknown human-interest stories," the prelate told his audience. Archbishop Costa proclaimed journalists the "nearest and dearest to the poor and oppressed" and credited the media with strengthening democracy. The Catholic leader urged the media to continue playing an active role in encouraging all voters to vote for appropriate leaders. Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, chief news editor of ATN Bangla, the first Bangladeshi satellite TV channel, told the audience that while most people criticize journalists, Archbishop Costa "gives recognition of our services, which is very encouraging for us." He observed: "Religious festivals of all religions become social celebrations, and this one of the strongest positive sides of Bangladesh, despite the many negative aspects." Anisul Haq, deputy editor of the Bangla (Bengali)-language daily Prothom Alo (first light), added his hope for continued peaceful coexistence of people of all faiths and castes in the country. "Let us make this world livable by taking up the messages of peace from each religion," Haq told fellow media workers.
Bangladesh Church Gathers Media For Christmas(UCAN)