Dhaka desk: Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church is expected to visit Bangladesh next year.
New cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church in Bangladesh Rev Patrick Rozario on Thursday said this during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.
PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The new cardinal said as the first cardinal of Bangladesh he has come to meet the Prime Minister to express his loyalty to her and the country on behalf of six lakh members of the Christian community.
Sheikh Hasina said she was ‘very very happy' with the appointment of the first cardinal in Bangladesh. “It's a great pride for Bangladesh and it's recognition to your service,” she told the cardinal.
The Cardinal said during his recent visit to the Vatican City he conveyed the Pope about the values of Bangladeshi people and communal harmony in Bangladesh.
“People of the holy city are not aware about many achievements of Bangladesh in socioeconomic areas,” he said.
Patrick pointed out the recent incidents in Bangladesh saying the people of the holy city do not know about the steps taken by the government to uproot terrorism.
The Prime Minister said the people of Bangladesh, irrespective of their religion, creeds and castes, have been living in peace and harmony for centuries in Bangladesh. “In Bangladesh, religion is an affair of individuals while religious festivals are for all,” she said.
PM's advisor on International Affairs Dr Gowher Rizvi, Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and Vatican ambassador in Dhaka George Kocherry were present.
Patrick Rozario is the first cardinal in Bangladesh among 120 under catholic order nominated by the Pope. Cardinals form the Sacred College which elects succeeding popes.unb
