Bangladesh: Dhaka Archbishop appointed to Supreme Committee of the Pontifical Mission Societies

The Supreme Committee of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), a global network committed to prayer and charity at the service of the pope, has appointed Oblate Archbishop Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze as a member.

The appointment, announced on August 1, was made by Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Archbishop D'Cruze will serve a five-year term from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2029.

The Pontifical Mission Societies, which function under the Dicastery for Evangelization, were established in 1916 and play a pivotal role in raising awareness, promoting prayer, and fostering cooperation within the Catholic Church.

With 120 offices worldwide, the PMS focuses on supporting missionary efforts through its four branches: the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Missionary Childhood Association, the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, and the Missionary Union.

Archbishop D'Cruze, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was appointed as the Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Dhaka, Bangladesh, by Pope Francis in September 2020.

Born on February 9, 1956, in Dhaka, he was ordained a priest on February 20, 1987, in Golla, Bangladesh. He later earned a Ph.D. in dogmatic theology from the Gregorian University in Rome.

Over the years, Archbishop D'Cruze has held various leadership roles, including serving as pastor in several parishes, Rector of the Oblate Juniorate in Dhaka, Superior of De Mazenod Scholasticate, and Oblate Delegation Superior from 2001 to 2005.

His episcopal journey began in 2005 when he was appointed Bishop of Khulna. In September 2011, he became the first Bishop of Sylhet.

In addition to his responsibilities as Archbishop, D'Cruze has been actively involved in promoting Christian unity and interreligious dialogue.

He has served as the chairperson of the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB).