UCA News
Contribute

Christian trust gets mixed reviews

Catholic Archbishop worries that state-sponsored fund would invite meddling in Church affairs
Christian trust gets mixed reviews
Religious affairs minister Shahjahan Mian at the launch
Published: April 27, 2012 09:35 AM GMT
Updated: April 27, 2012 09:35 AM GMT

A government-sponsored welfare trust for poor Christians was launched yesterday nearly two decades after it was first proposed. About 60 people including religious affairs minister Shahjahan Mian and state minister for cultural affairs Promod Mankin attended the official launch ceremony in  Dhaka. The Christian Religious Welfare Trust has an initial endowment of 50 million taka (nearly US$600,000) and was created to support development among Christian communities in the country. “Three other major religious communities [Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists] have government-sponsored trusts, and today we launch the one for Christians,” said Mian, who heads the trust, during the ceremony. “With this trust Christians in Bangladesh have found a government organization of their own and it will offer them support in various ways.” Nirmol Rozario, a banker and secretary of the trust, said that funds will be used for infrastructure and human resource development within the Christian community. Mankin said he regretted the delay in launching the trust, which he said faced opposition from Catholic Church authorities. However Holy Cross Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario of Dhaka said the Church had good reasons to oppose the trust. “I had some talks with trust officials and was informed that it will work for welfare of the Christian community. This is an organization administered and funded by the government,” he said. He added that there was concern that Church involvement in the trust would invite government interference in Church activities. “The Catholic Church is administered from Rome, and we don’t like to invite the possibility of interference from any other party. We are aware about the trust and if they want to help us that must be done in a way we approve.” Bishop Nibaron Das of the Methodist Church said the trust would offer ways for Christians to get support from the government. “I’ve heard that the trust will offer financial support. I’m planning to apply for funds to renovate some of our Church buildings,” he said.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia