Bangladesh: Rajshahi diocese holds seminar for priests on ‘synodal lifestyle in the parish’

The Rajshahi diocese in Bangladesh held an annual seminar for priests on the “synodal lifestyle in the parish” at Christo Jyoti (light) Pastoral Center on January 10.

 The seminar was attended by Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi, Vicar General Father Fabian Marandy, and 41 priests from the different parishes of the diocese.

In his welcome address, Bishop Rozario stressed the significance of synodality, saying that it helps in raising awareness among the people “on how we can journey together in the process."  

Bishop Gervas thanked the priests of the diocese for working together with the people.

Father Dilip S. Costa, a main speaker of the seminar, said the call of religion is “to embrace goodness and to unite with the Supreme Being by virtue of practice."

"The main teaching and call of religion is union with the Supreme or the creator of life," said the priest.

He cited the call of Pope Francis for the formation of the synodal Church in society and in the family.

“Let us move forward with the spirit of union, joy, and effort towards the goal of building a better society,” he said, adding that synodality “is an invitation to walk the path together."

One of the participants of the seminar shared that everyone is called “to love and serve.”

Pope Francis launched the Synod on Synodality in October 2021 as a worldwide undertaking during which Catholics are encouraged to submit feedback to their local dioceses.

The Catholic Church’s massive multi-year synodal process has been divided into stages.

The initial diocesan listening phase concluded with the participation of 112 out of 114 of the world’s Catholic bishops’ conferences, according to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. The Continental stage is going on.  - Nikhil Gomes