Bangladesh major seminary gets new rector

The Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Bangladesh has a new rector.

Father Paul Gomes, former vicar general of the Diocese of Rajshahi, has been named rector of the seminary on June 2, 2021.  

The priest said he would do his best to make the seminary “homely” to help the seminarians come up with “proper discernment to respond God's call.”

“I will arrange regular counseling sessions, personal interviews, and personal corrections,” said Father Gomes, adding that personal contact will be prioritized “to build up human formation.”

Extra-curriculum activities will also be developed for a more holistic approach to formation, said the priest.

“Because we are in the digital age, I will make available facilities and teaching equipment in the classroom for the teaching staff,” he said.

Father Gomes was born on Sept. 3, 1962, and was ordained priest on Dec. 29, 1992. 

He attended St. Rita’s Junior High School before joining the St. Philip’s High School in Dinajpur and Notre Dame College in Dhaka.

He studied philosophy and theology at the Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka and in the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

He had a diploma in psycho-spirituality and had underwent “formation of the formators’ course” in Milan, Italy.
 
Following his ordination, he served as rector of Jisu Nam Griha Intermediate Seminary in Dinajpur and assistant rector at St. Joseph’s Intermediate Seminary in Ramna, Dhaka. He was also vice rector of the Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka and professor in Dogmatic Theology.

Father Gomes was parish priest of Mariabad Catholic Church, Borni, and Good Shepherd Cathedral Parish in Baganpara. 

He was assistant parish priest of Presentation of the Lord Parish, Sursunipara, Beneedwar in the Diocese of Rajshahi.

He served as vicar general of Rajshahi and was consultor in the same diocese.- Nikhil Gomez / RVA News