Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Agenzia Fides) – Catholic religious life in Bangladesh, active in education and social assistance, recently received national recognition for fifty years of service to the nation in the field of schooling.
The award was presented to 94 year old Sr Pia, a Child of Mary Sister, who first started teaching in 1952 when her country was known as East Pakistan having obtained independence five years earlier. At first Sister Pia, had only one pupil: the local people thought instruction was unnecessary and they also feared that Sister Pia would try to convert the children to Christianity.
Today the school has 900 pupils, including 35 high school girl boarders. Many leading members of society in Dinajpur today educated by Sister Pia, remember her with gratitude.
Another event, a source of joy for the local Catholic Church, was the opening in Dinajpur of a new convent of enclosed Poor Clare Sisters. The convent chapel was consecrated by Archbishop Giuseppe Marino, apostolic nuncio to Pakistan and Bishop Moses Costa, Catholic Bishop of Dinajpur, in the presence of 40 priests and about 50 sisters of different congregations and many local Catholics of all ages. The convent, with day and night Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is sure to become a haven of prayer for the benefit of the whole diocese. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2008 righe 25 parole 249)
