His Holiness, Pope Francis, the supreme pontiff of the Universal Catholic Church appointed Bishop Lawrence Subrato Howlader, C.S.C. as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Chattogram today (Friday, 19 Feb. 2021) at Vatican City local time 12.00 pm and Bangladesh local time 5.00 pm. Apostolic Nuncio and Vatican Ambassador to Bangladesh His Excellency Archbishop George Kocherry announced the appointment during the solemn mass at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Chattogram. His Excellency Archbishop George Kocherry presided over the Eucharist while Diocesan Administrator Fr. Leonard C. Rebeiro and Father Somor Dango, O.M.I. concelebrated. The post of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Chattogram is remaining vacant since the death of Archbishop Moses M. Costa, C.S.C. on 13 July 2020. Archbishop Elect Lawrence Subrato Howlader, C.S.C. is going to be installed as the 6th Bishop and 2nd Archbishop of Chattogram.
Archbishop Elect Lawrence Subrato Howlader, C.S.C. has been serving as the Bishop of Barishal Catholic Diocese. Previously he has served in Chattogram Diocese as an Auxiliary Bishop from 2009 to 2015. He was born on 11 September 1965 at Nobogram, Barishal and ordained a Catholic Priest in the Holy Cross Congregation on 31 December 1994. He was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Chattogram on 3 July 2009 and installed Bishop of newly established Barishal Diocese on 29 January 2016.
This is to note that for rendering better pastoral care there are 8 Catholic Dioceses in Bangladesh namely: Dhaka, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Khulna, Sylhet and Barishal. There are several Parishes in each Diocese. Priests of the Parishes are known as ‘Parish Priest’. Prelates of the dioceses are known as the ‘Bishop’. Among 8 Dioceses Dhaka and Chattogram are the Archdioceses and prelates of which are known as the ‘Archbishop’.
The juridical territory of Chattogram Diocese is spread over 9 civil districts namely: Chandpur, Luxmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachori, Rangamati, Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar. In these districts, there are 11 Parishes and 5 Sub-Parishes of Catholic Christians. Archbishop of Chattogram Archdiocese resides at the Archbishop’s House, Patherghata, Chattogram.
From the historical and socio-economic perspective, Chattogram is very much important in the country. Christian Faith first arrived in Chattogram in 1518 with the Portuguese traders. In 1600 AD first churches were built in Patherghata, Jamalkhan and Diang under Karnaphuli Upazilla. First Catholic Priest arrived in Chattogram is Fr. Francesco Fernandez (Jesuit) who was later tortured and killed by the Arakanese. At that period there was no Diocese in Bangladesh. In 1845 Chattogram became the seat of ‘Eastern Bengal Vicariate’ and had served the greater eastern Bengal being the main centre of Catholic Christians. Later the seat is transferred to Dhaka. Chattogram is elevated as the ‘Diocese’ in 1927 AD. At that time the juridical territory covered a vast area from present Barishal Diocese and some parts of India and Myanmar. Chattogram is raised to the status of an Archdiocese in 2017. Being the main seaport of the country, Chattogram is economically important. It has a long and rich political heritage. Catholic Christians are involved in education and health ministry for the people of all castes, religions, cultures and financial background. Historical, political and economic importance of Chattogram is largely accepted throughout the country.
