It was 22 May, 2021 when Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Howlader, CSC was installed as the 2nd Archbishop of Chattogram. But there could be no celebration due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Only a mere 200 people witnessed the installation ceremony. The month-long preparation for a grand celebration had to be postponed. Though the installation was completed and Archbishop Subrato took charge of Chattogram Archdiocese, the pallium investiture ceremony was kept for later so that people can receive their new archbishop through celebration and festivity and they did receive their new Archbishop through a grand celebration on 26 November 2021 in the Pallium Investiture Ceremony. Vatican ambassador and Nuncio to Bangladesh, His Grace Archbishop George Kocherry invested the pallium on the second archbishop of Chattogram, Lawrence Subrato Howlader, CSC in presence of His Eminence Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, CSC; All the bishops of CBCB; Bishop Lumen Monteiro from Agartala Diocese, India; 83 priests and more than 1500 faithful. The ceremony took place in the premises of Saint Placid’s School & College, Chattogram.
On the previous day an adoration of sacrament was held in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cathedral. On 26 November 2021 the Pallium mass began at 10 am. The pandal was filled with people where on the very beginning of the mass, Nuncio Archbishop Kocherry invested the pallium on Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Howlader, CSC. Nuncio Archbishop Kocherry expressed his joy after the Holy Mass saying that Chattogram is the Bethlehem of Bangladesh Church from where Christianity spread in Bengal. It is the mother diocese of many other dioceses and the source of Christianity in Bangladesh.
In the evening a short but festive reception was held for Archbishop Subrato followed by a cultural program. In the reception program Archbishop Subrato along with the Cardinal, other bishops and hundreds of laities rallied from the premises of Cathedral to the Saint Placid’s School & College ground in a tremendous atmosphere of festivity and cultural exhibition.
Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, CSC after enjoying the blissful celebration said that all the arrangements were amazing especially the participation of the youth which was splendid and made him feel that it’s a new church with boosted energy and hope. Archbishop Bijoy D’Cruze, OMI remembered the late Archbishop Moses M. Costa, CSC in his speech and said that Archbishop Moses was a worthy shepherd and Archbishop Subrato is the right successor of his legacy. Bishop Lumen Monteiro, CSC from Agartala Diocese of India said that there’s a long connection between his diocese and the Chattogram as the seed of faith in Agartala was sown from Chittagong.
The chairman of the Central Committee for Pallium Investiture Ceremony, Fr. Leonard Rebeiro said that the investiture program was a success and everything were perfectly done. He thanked all the members of every committee and sub-committee for their hard work and dedication to make this ceremony a success.
