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Diocese of
Rajshahi
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| http://www.rajshahicatholicdiocese.com/ |
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| BRIEF
HISTORY : On May 21, 1990, the Diocese of Rajshahi
was canonically erected Incorporating Within its territory the
southern portion of the greater Diocese of Dinajpur. The History
of Rajshahi Diocese before its creation is part of the history of
Dinajpur Diocese. |
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| The work of evangelisation in
the areas now, Rajshahi Diocese, began at the request of Mr.
Gabriel Topno, a Munda Tribal, a Christian and a leper, who
migrated From Choto Nagpur in India to the village of Begunbari,
two miles south of the present Beneedwar parish. It was Fr.
Francis Rocca, a Mossionary of the pontifical Institute for
Foreign Missions of Milan (PIME), who came from Pakuria in
Meherpur District, south of the Mighty Ganges on January 29, 1902
to provide Pastoral assistance to Mr. Topno and his family and
subsequently to continue the preaching the Gospel in the area.
Within eight years of his arrival there were already Christian
Communities among the Mundas in Begunbari, Mahalis in Chokjodu
and Santals in Beneedwar. Crossing the River Ganges, there Came
Mal- Paharias to build the Ishurdi - Amnura Railway Tracks. The
Christian Missionaries also crossed the river and walked along the
railway tracks preaching the Good News of Christ. The first
Mal-paharias of Andharkota were baptised in the Catholic faith on
February 21, 1904 by Fr. S. Taveggia, PIME. |
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| Thereupon, From the tiny
beginnings in Begunbari and Andharkota the Catholic faith has
gradually spreaded among the Adivasis throughtout the present
Diocese of Rajshahi. Beginning in the year 1925. many Bengali
Christians from Bhawal Areas of the Archdioces of Dhaka started
migrating to the greater districts of Pabna and Rajshahi in search
of land and their economic amelioration. |
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| For their Pastorl care three
parishes were gradually established in Bonpara (1940), Mothurapur
(1945 ) and Borni ( 1949 ) Mothurapur had belonged to the
Archdiocese of Dhaka till 1976. when it was transferred to the
Diocese of Dinajpur. With the growth and Extension of the Church
in North Bengal, the need was felt to create a new diocese which
Comprieses of the southern districts of the diocese of Dinajpur to
further the work of Evangelisation. |
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| The Most Rev. Theotonius
Gomes, CSC, The Bishop of Dinajpur initiated the process of
erection of the Diocese of Rajshahi which was announced on June 9,
1990, and the most rev. Patrick D' Rozario, CSC was appointed as
the first Bishop of the new Diocese. After five years of strenuous
work in the Organisation, Msgr. D'Rozario was Transferred to the
Seaport Diocese of Chittagong and became its second native Bishop
on February 3, 1995. The Very Reverend Fr. Julian Rozario was
named Administrator of the Sede Vacante until the Most Rev.
Paulinus Costa, D.D. was Named, Consecratd and took Possession of
the Diocese on April 26, 1996. |
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| First Bishop |
: Most Rev. Patrick D'Rozario, CSC,
1990-1995 |
| Second Bishop |
: Most Rev. Paulinus Costa, 1996 |
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