Appointment of Catholic as state minister raises hopes

Catholics in Bangladesh have welcomed the appointment of the country´s first Catholic government minister, hoping he will highlight minority and tribal concerns.

Promod Mankin, 71, the first Catholic Cabinet member in Bangladesh – Photo by Aldrick Biswas

Advocate Promod Mankin, 71, was appointed state minister for cultural affairs on July 31 and will be responsible for the country´s cultural development and its sustainability. He comes from the tribal Garo community in Mymensingh diocese and is also a member of the government´s Ministry of Religion.

“The expectations of Christians are enormous. I am fully aware of their concerns as a result of my three terms in government and as member of parliament,” Mankin told UCA News at his government residence in Dhaka Aug. 5. “People have to understand that I am now a state minister and have to look after the cultural affairs of the whole nation and protect the interests of the national culture. But since I am from the Christian community, I will not forget my roots,” he assured.

Since 2003, Mankin has also been chairman of the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), a major inter-denominational Christian forum.

He said he will push for a proposal he made to parliament and the permanent committee of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to declare Christmas and Easter public holidays.

Mankin said another of his priorities is to consider the interests of all the 45 minority ethnic groups in Bangladesh.

He stressed that he will work for improved land rights for these communities and strive to protect them in cases of false criminal accusations against them by the Muslim majority community.

Another goal is to establish a Christian Religion Welfare Foundation which will be separate from the BCA. The foundation will deal directly with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to provide support for the Christian community and a better working relationship with the government.

“This is the first step I want to take under the banner of the BCA as I am also its chair,” he said. “Now it is easier for me to share things directly with the prime minister,” he added.

His fellow Catholics have welcomed his appointment, and have expressed the hope he will be able to be a voice for Christians and other ethnic minorities in the country.

Catholic Bishop´s Conference of Bangladesh secretary, Father Subrato Boniface Gomes said: “We are proud to have him as the state minister. He can add our voice to the government´s policy-making process.”

Benjamin Marak, a Garo layperson from Mymensingh diocese told UCA News he hopes Mankin´s appointment would mean justice for ethnic people in the case of false accusations, and a better transport and communication infrastructure in tribal areas.

Mankin himself credited the Church for his rise to the Cabinet. He said the Church “financed my studies at school and college.” Caritas Bangladesh had also given him a job in the organization which helped him develop his leadership and people skills. “Now I am able to provide leadership at the national level,” he said.