Newly installed Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario greeted parishioners and people from across the country during a public welcoming reception last weekend at the Archbishop’s House in the capital.

The reception, which drew about 5,000 guests including government officials and interdenominational leaders, also served as an opportunity to thank outgoing Archbishop Paulinus Costa for more than six years of service.

The new archbishop outlined a mission of unity and prayer during the ceremony.

“As a religious priest, I’m entrusted to serve people, preach the truth in society and become the voice of conscience, establishing unity and harmony among followers of various faiths, praying to God for everyone,” he read from a written statement during the reception, adding his thanks to his predecessor.

Archbishop Costa extended his gratitude to parishioners for their support during his tenure.

“I’m very lucky because though I’m unworthy, I’ve been blessed with so much love of God and people,” he said.

Shahjahan Mian, state minister for religious affairs, congratulated the two prelates and urged all in attendance to work diligently to achieve harmony and peace.

“Bangladesh has set a living example of interreligious harmony in the world, and religious leaders have made great contributions to achieving this feat.  We will work together to sustain communal harmony and that’s why the government has reinstated ‘secularism’ in the country’s constitution.”

Holy Cross archbishop Patrick D’Rozario was born on October 1, 1943 in Padrishibpur village in southern Barisal district. He was ordained on January 8, 1971, as the first Catholic priest in newly independent Bangladesh.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him coadjutor archbishop of Dhaka on November 25 last year. He was installed January 25 and assumed the office on October 22, when Archbishop Costa reached the official retirement age of 75.

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