- svd-prms
- / BGD
- / Fr. General's Visit
Beyond Presence: What Father General’s Visit Reveals About the Mission in Bangladesh
Mariusz Pacuła, SVD
From the moment he landed in Dhaka, he was not alone. He was welcomed into a small but diverse brotherhood—missionaries from Poland, India, and Indonesia—each carrying their own story, yet united by a shared calling. Together, they formed the heart of a mission officially born in 2018, though its early years were marked more by searching than settling. Finding a place to belong, navigating visa barriers, and surviving the disruptions of COVID-19 pandemic had slowed their beginnings. Even now, others waited beyond borders, hoping to join them.
As he listened and observed, a clearer picture emerged. The mission was not simply about maintaining structures—it was about reaching people often left at the margins, especially tribal communities. In fact, hope was already taking root: young candidates, all from the Tripura people, were beginning their formation. Their presence hinted at something deeper—a future where the mission would no longer rely only on outsiders, but grow from within.
A significant moment came during meetings with His Excellency, Archbishop Lawrence S. Howlader, who spoke with both gratitude and urgency. He saw in the missionaries not just helpers, but partners in shaping a more local, more rooted Church. His vision was clear: the most effective evangelization would come from forming people within these communities and sending them back to serve their own. In that vision, the mission had a vital role.
Yet Bangladesh itself told a larger story. Though Catholics make up only a tiny fraction of the population, the Church lived in peace, free from hostility. Still, challenges existed—subtle tensions with local clergy, questions about identity, and the risk of becoming absorbed into routine diocesan work rather than living out a distinct missionary purpose.
Traveling through the Archdiocese of Chittagong and beyond, Fr. Ribeiro saw how the mission was slowly finding its footing. A modest parish in Pahartali served as both home and formation space. Another in Diang, near a Marian shrine, connected the mission to a vibrant Catholic community. A newly opened parish in Gopalpur—far away and not yet visited—hinted at expansion, new challenges, and new beginnings.
But the story was not only about places—it was about people and what they needed to grow. The missionaries faced practical realities. There were too few of them, and too many roles to fill. Language stood as both a bridge and a barrier—those from nearby cultures adapted quickly, while others struggled, needing time and dedication. Leadership responsibilities stretched thin, and the structures needed to sustain the mission were still fragile.
And yet, amidst these difficulties, something remarkable was happening. Young candidates spoke of a new experience of fraternity—of being welcomed and respected in ways they had not known before. In a country where minorities often remain unseen, this simple witness of community became a powerful form of evangelization. Ribeiro sensed that this moment—this opening—was too important to lose. Formation was not just one task among many; it was the key to the future.
Beyond the immediate mission, the wider world pressed in. Bangladesh hosts one of the largest refugee crises on earth, with vast camps in Cox’s Bazar sheltering Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Myanmar. The possibility of serving them opened another path—one that would require courage, collaboration, and perhaps partnership with organizations like Jesuit Refugee Service.
By the end of his visit, Fr. Ribeiro’s reflections began to take shape. The mission needed clarity—of purpose, structure, and direction. It needed more missionaries, better formation systems, and stronger ties with both the local Church and its global leadership. It needed a plan—not just to survive, but to grow.
And above all, it needed to remain faithful to its reason for being: to proclaim the Gospel, to walk with the poor and marginalized, and to build communities rooted in dignity and hope.
As he prepared to leave, one truth stood out. Bangladesh was not just another mission field—it was fertile ground. The Gospel had only begun to take root here, and much remained to be done. But if nurtured carefully—through local vocations, shared responsibility, and a clear vision—the small community he encountered could one day flourish into something far greater.
The story of the mission was still being written. And its next chapters would depend on the choices made now.
