Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze / UCA News (Left), Sheikh Hasina (Right)
CV NEWS FEED // Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Bangladesh has issued a statement in response to separatist accusations made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina against Christians in the region.
The Bangladeshi Prime Minister allegedly accused the small Christian minority of the mostly Muslim country of wanting to “carve out a Christian state” along the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar during a meeting with leaders of the fourteen parties that make up the ruling alliance, according to an Asia News report.
In response, Archbishop Bejoy issued a statement, expressing surprise and worry on behalf of the bishops’ conference and Christians in the nation at large. He further communicated the support of Christians in the region for their nation’s sovereignty.
Praising Hasina’s efforts “to safeguard our nation’s freedom and development,” Bejoy declared that the Awami League head “has been playing a steady and courageous role in protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh.”
“We, the Christians of Bangladesh and our leaders, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh and the United Forum of Churches, are surprised and worried by this news,” the statement continued. “In today’s globalized and secular world, the notion of a ‘Christian state’ is absurd.”
“We agree with the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and support her efforts to safeguard the sovereignty of Bangladesh,” Bejoy concluded. “We also pray for her continued success in this regard.”
