The Christian Religious Welfare Trust has given 2.1 million taka (USD 27,500) to support church renovations and pastoral work of 26 Christian churches in Bangladesh in the hopes to encourage "solidarity and brotherhood among people of different religions."
In Bangladesh, the number of Christians only comprise of 0.4 percent of the population wherein 0.1 are Catholics. A Catholic priest said the government's donation was "big deal" for them pastoring in the Muslim-majority nation.
The fund was established in 2009 to encourage strong relations between people of different faiths. Funds were raised to contribute to the national development by developing human resources.
In an interview with AsiaNews, Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman said, "We want the faithful of all religions to follow their beliefs freely. Through this fund, we promote religious harmony and brotherhood." Rahman also chairs in the Christian Religious Welfare Trust.
To commemorate the country's contribution to Christian nations, a ceremony was held Monday in Dhaka. Rahman specially noted that Bangladesh is a "secular country and that its constitution protects religious rights."
"We believe that if people of all religion can practice their religious rituals properly, our country will advance with prosperity and peace," he said.
One of the benefactors of the generous funding is the Diocese of Rajshahi. Their 44-year-old parish priest, Fr. Hubert B. Rebeiro said, "I am very pleased that government gave me financial support for church's activities. Since we are in a predominantly Muslim country, it is a big deal for us."
The Christian Religious Welfare Trust has been helping churches since 2009. It already helped a total of 91 churches, which is equivalent of USD 125,000.
Amy is a Press Services International Columnist from Adelaide. She has a BA in Creative Writing and Screen & Media, and now works as a freelance photographer, videographer and writer. She was runner-up in the 2018 Basil Sellars Award. Her previous articles can be viewed here: http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/amy-manners.html