Without the laity, the Church cannot grow: Bangladesh bishops' commission

Dhaka, 04 June 2013 attended by. "The growth of the Catholic Church cannot neglect the contribution and participation of the laity," said Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario while addressing a theological seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh, organized by the Bishops' Commission for the Laity between 27 and 31 May. 52 faithful from all the seven dioceses attended the meeting which gave lay participants an opportunity to enhance their awareness of the role they play within the Catholic Church.

"Teaching theology is designed to nurture the need for daily prayer among the faithful," said Patrick D'Rozario, president of the Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh and head of the local Commission for the Laity. Indeed, for him prayer but also missionary vocation are especially important.

The participants expressed great enthusiasm for the outcome of the initiative. "I have never had a theology course," Jhorna Cruze, 66, told AsiaNews. "I think the experience of this seminar will help me. I can now speak of Christ to those who do not believe."

In Bangladesh, a country with a population of about 161 million, Catholics represent approximately 0.3 per cent, half of them of tribal origin.

Unlike the Protestant community among whom theology courses are relatively frequent, Catholics have rarely had this opportunity. Source: AsiaNews