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.