Less than a month after his appointment as the first Roman Catholic cardinal from Bangladesh, Patrick D’Rozario has told Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that he briefed the Supreme Pontiff about Bangladeshi values and found him responding with interest, reports UNB.
"The Vatican does not know about the many achievements of Bangladesh in its socioeconomic areas," Cardinal D’Rozario said following his meeting with the premier on Thursday.
The PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters on the discussions after the meeting.
“As the first cardinal from Bangladesh, I came to meet the prime minister to express my loyalty to her and the country on behalf of the six lakh members of the Roman Catholic community,” said Cardinal D'Rozario, who was elected by Pope Francis on November 19.
Sheikh Hasina said she was “very, very happy” with the appointment of the first cardinal from Bangladesh.
"It is a matter of great pride for Bangladesh and it is in recognition to your services," she told the cardinal.
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Pope Francis has stood out from his predecessors in a number of ways, elevating more non-European clergymen to the higher echelons of the Church.
Patrick D’Rozario is the first cardinal to be elected from Bangladesh to join the 120 princes of the Church as nominated by the Pope. The cardinals form the Sacred College which is responsible for the election of popes, and have a large set of responsibilities which extend from advising the Pontiff on numerous matters.
Cardinal D'Rozario said the Vatican is not aware of the Bangladesh government's actions to eliminate terrorism, in light of the recent communal attacks.
The premier 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.
Also present during the meeting were the PM's advisor on International Affairs Dr Gowher Rizvi, Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, and the Vatican's ambassador in Dhaka, George Kocherry.
