ASIA/BANGLADESH - Auxiliary Bishop of Chittagong appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on May 7, 2009 appointed Fr. Lawrence Subrata Howlader, CSC, Master of Novices of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Barisal, Auxiliary Bishop of Chittagong (Bangladesh), assigning him the titular see of Afufenia.
The new Bishop was born September 11, 1965 in Noborgram, Barisal (Diocese of Chittagong). After studying at the Minor Seminary of Goumadi in Barisal, he entered the novitiate of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1987. He studied at Notre Dame College and at the Dhaka Major Seminary. He took perpetual vows on August 6, 1993 and was ordained a priest on December 31, 1994. He has since ministered as follows: Parish Vicar in Mariamnagar, Diocese of Mymensingh (1994-1995); Rector of the Minor Seminary in Jalchatra, Diocese of Mymensingh (1996-1998); Parish Vicar in Pirgacha, Diocese of Mymensingh (1998-1999); Parish Vicar of Mariamnagar, Diocese of Mymensingh (2000); Studies for the Licentiate in Psychology, in Rome, at the Pontifical Gregorian University (2000-2004); since 2005, he has served as Master of Novices of the Holy Cross in Barisaldal and since 2008, as Chaplain of Caritas of Barisal. In 2006, he was also elected Member of the Provincial Council of his Institute. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 7/5/2009)