Bejoy Nicephorus D'CruzeOMI (born 9 February 1956) is a Bangladeshi prelate of the Catholic Church who has been archbishop of Dhaka since 2020. He held positions of responsibility in his order, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, before serving as bishop of Khulna from 2005 to 2011 and bishop of Sylhet from 2011 to 2020.
Archbishop Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze-Archbishop of Dhaka Diocese.
Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze was born on 9 February 1956 in the village of Tuital, in the sub-district of Chapai Nawabganj Sadar in northwestern Bangladesh. As a child he attended the local Holy Spirit Church, a non-denominational religious center with Christian origins. After completing his primary and secondary studies, he enrolled in the major seminary of Dhaka to study in philosophy and theology. On 1 November 1986, he took his solemn vows as a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He was ordained a priest on 20 February 1987.[1][2]
For the next three years he was assistant pastor of the parishes of Lokhipur and Mugaipar in the Archdiocese of Dhaka. From 1990 to 1993 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and obtained a licentiate in theology. On his return home he was rector of the Oblates' vocation center for three years. In 1996 he returned to the Gregorian and earned a degree in theology in 1999. He then resumed his post in Bangladesh for two years.[1]
Beginning in 1999 he taught for many years at the major seminary of Dhaka. In 2001 he became superior of the Oblate's education for the priesthood and he was superior of the Oblates' delegation in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2005.[2] He was also a member of the Caritas committee for Bangladesh.[1]
Bishop of Khulna
On 19 February 2005, Pope John Paul II appointed him the third bishop of Khulna in southwest Bangladesh.[1] He received his episcopal consecration on 6 May[3] in front of the cathedral of St. Joseph in Khulna from Michael Atul D'Rozario, Bishop emeritus Khulna, with co-consecrators Michael Rozario, Archbishop of Dhaka, and Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam, apostolic nuncio to Bangladesh.[citation needed] He said the diocese was well established, with 61 schools and four hospitals, but looked to the government for protection from Islamic extremists.[4] The fact that the Catholics of the diocese were ethnic Bengalis removed one possible source and friction, and relations between religious group were respectful.[5]
He participated in the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. He described the challenges of poverty and government corruption in Bangladesh and said that "the church has to live its solidarity with the poor".[6]
Bishop of Sylhet
On 8 July 2011, Pope Benedict XVI erected the Diocese of Sylhet on territory taken from the Archdiocese of Dhaka and appointed him its first bishop.[7] He took possession of the diocese in the Pro-Cathedral of Lokhipur, 100 km from Sylhet, on 30 September.[3] He later recalled his early years in Sylhet: "I didn't even have my own home. I rented a room in a house that belonged to Muslims and was not allowed to celebrate the Eucharist there. I could only say my personal prayers there. But in fact I still celebrated Mass there in secret, sometimes in the company of my brother priests."[8][2] He visited his congregations by bus while the church had no building of its own. He planned a church building for multiple uses and planned to make it available to other Christian denominations. There had been little opposition to its construction.[8] He said Islamic fundamentalism played a small role in the region, though converting Muslims was prohibited and Christians, just one percent of the population, suffered from discrimination.[9] He had once received a death threat without consequences.[8]
He also focused on defending the rights of the Khasi, ghe tribal people who make up most of the Catholic population. As a minority in many ways, they face discrimination and victimization by large commercial interests that destroy villages as they expand tea plantations without regard for the indigenous people's ancestral lands.[10]
He was treasurer of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) for several years before being elected its general secretary on 15 August 2020. He was also president of its Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue.[2][11][12]
Archbishop of Dhaka
On 30 September 2020, Pope Francis appointed him archbishop of Dhaka.[13] He was the first Oblate named to the position.[2] He took possession of the archdiocese in the cathedral of Santa Maria in Dhaka on 27 November.[3] He said he would implement the longterm plan developed for the archdiocese by his predecessor, emphasizing the evangelization of families to energize the laity; developing close relationships with other religious groups; and care for the multitude of internal migrants arriving and struggling in Dhaka.[14]
In December 2020 he was elected president of the CBCB ( Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh).[citation needed]
References
^ abcd"Resignations and appointments, 19.02.2005". Holy See Press Office. 19 February 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^ abcde"Mgr Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze remplace le cardinal Patrick D'Rozario à la tête de l'archidiocèse de Dacca" (in French). missionsetrangeres.com. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^ abc"Most Rev. Dejoy N. D'Cruze, OMI". Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"Bangladesh bishop says Catholics still living in fear". Catholic News Agency. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"Education, health and door-to-door pastoral care among Tribals in the new diocese of Sylhet". AsiaNews. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"Synodus Episcoporum Bulletin". Holy See Press Office. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^ "Resignations and appointments, 08.07.2011". Bulletin. Press office of the Holy See. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^ abc"Bangladesch: Ständiger Kampf gegen Minderheiten" (Interview) (in German). Interviewed by Josué Villalón. Archdiocese of Cologne. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"La Iglesia Católica holds out his hand to organizaciones como SED en Bangladesh" (in Spanish). www.sed-ongd.org. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"Christians suffering oppression, looking forward to Pope's visit". Aid to the Church in Need, Canada. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"Monsignor Bejoy D'Cruze is the new archbishop of Dhaka". www.worldmagazine.it. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"Dhaka gets new archbishop". Matters India. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"Resignations and appointments, 30.09.2020". Holy See Press Office. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
^"The new Archbishop of Dhaka: priority to be given to the family, the "powerhouse" of the Gospel". Agenzia Fides. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
February 02, 2023
bejoy, nicephorus, cruze, born, february, 1956, bangladeshi, prelate, catholic, church, been, archbishop, dhaka, since, 2020, held, positions, responsibility, order, missionary, oblates, mary, immaculate, before, serving, bishop, khulna, from, 2005, 2011, bish. Bejoy Nicephorus D Cruze OMI born 9 February 1956 is a Bangladeshi prelate of the Catholic Church who has been archbishop of Dhaka since 2020 He held positions of responsibility in his order the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate before serving as bishop of Khulna from 2005 to 2011 and bishop of Sylhet from 2011 to 2020 Archbishop Bejoy Nicephorus D Cruze Archbishop of Dhaka Diocese Contents 1 Early years 2 Bishop of Khulna 3 Bishop of Sylhet 4 Archbishop of Dhaka 5 ReferencesEarly years EditBejoy Nicephorus D Cruze was born on 9 February 1956 in the village of Tuital in the sub district of Chapai Nawabganj Sadar in northwestern Bangladesh As a child he attended the local Holy Spirit Church a non denominational religious center with Christian origins After completing his primary and secondary studies he enrolled in the major seminary of Dhaka to study in philosophy and theology On 1 November 1986 he took his solemn vows as a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate He was ordained a priest on 20 February 1987 1 2 For the next three years he was assistant pastor of the parishes of Lokhipur and Mugaipar in the Archdiocese of Dhaka From 1990 to 1993 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and obtained a licentiate in theology On his return home he was rector of the Oblates vocation center for three years In 1996 he returned to the Gregorian and earned a degree in theology in 1999 He then resumed his post in Bangladesh for two years 1 Beginning in 1999 he taught for many years at the major seminary of Dhaka In 2001 he became superior of the Oblate s education for the priesthood and he was superior of the Oblates delegation in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2005 2 He was also a member of the Caritas committee for Bangladesh 1 Bishop of Khulna EditOn 19 February 2005 Pope John Paul II appointed him the third bishop of Khulna in southwest Bangladesh 1 He received his episcopal consecration on 6 May 3 in front of the cathedral of St Joseph in Khulna from Michael Atul D Rozario Bishop emeritus Khulna with co consecrators Michael Rozario Archbishop of Dhaka and Archbishop Paul Tschang In Nam apostolic nuncio to Bangladesh citation needed He said the diocese was well established with 61 schools and four hospitals but looked to the government for protection from Islamic extremists 4 The fact that the Catholics of the diocese were ethnic Bengalis removed one possible source and friction and relations between religious group were respectful 5 He participated in the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church He described the challenges of poverty and government corruption in Bangladesh and said that the church has to live its solidarity with the poor 6 Bishop of Sylhet EditOn 8 July 2011 Pope Benedict XVI erected the Diocese of Sylhet on territory taken from the Archdiocese of Dhaka and appointed him its first bishop 7 He took possession of the diocese in the Pro Cathedral of Lokhipur 100 km from Sylhet on 30 September 3 He later recalled his early years in Sylhet I didn t even have my own home I rented a room in a house that belonged to Muslims and was not allowed to celebrate the Eucharist there I could only say my personal prayers there But in fact I still celebrated Mass there in secret sometimes in the company of my brother priests 8 2 He visited his congregations by bus while the church had no building of its own He planned a church building for multiple uses and planned to make it available to other Christian denominations There had been little opposition to its construction 8 He said Islamic fundamentalism played a small role in the region though converting Muslims was prohibited and Christians just one percent of the population suffered from discrimination 9 He had once received a death threat without consequences 8 He also focused on defending the rights of the Khasi ghe tribal people who make up most of the Catholic population As a minority in many ways they face discrimination and victimization by large commercial interests that destroy villages as they expand tea plantations without regard for the indigenous people s ancestral lands 10 He was treasurer of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh CBCB for several years before being elected its general secretary on 15 August 2020 He was also president of its Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue 2 11 12 Archbishop of Dhaka EditOn 30 September 2020 Pope Francis appointed him archbishop of Dhaka 13 He was the first Oblate named to the position 2 He took possession of the archdiocese in the cathedral of Santa Maria in Dhaka on 27 November 3 He said he would implement the longterm plan developed for the archdiocese by his predecessor emphasizing the evangelization of families to energize the laity developing close relationships with other religious groups and care for the multitude of internal migrants arriving and struggling in Dhaka 14 In December 2020 he was elected president of the CBCB Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh citation needed References Edit a b c d Resignations and appointments 19 02 2005 Holy See Press Office 19 February 2005 Retrieved 13 April 2022 a b c d e Mgr Bejoy Nicephorus D Cruze remplace le cardinal Patrick D Rozario a la tete de l archidiocese de Dacca in French missionsetrangeres com 2 October 2020 Retrieved 13 April 2022 a b c Most Rev Dejoy N D Cruze OMI Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh Retrieved 13 April 2022 Bangladesh bishop says Catholics still living in fear Catholic News Agency 8 March 2007 Retrieved 13 April 2022 Education health and door to door pastoral care among Tribals in the new diocese of Sylhet AsiaNews 10 December 2011 Retrieved 13 April 2022 Synodus Episcoporum Bulletin Holy See Press Office 11 October 2008 Retrieved 13 April 2022 Resignations and appointments 08 07 2011 Bulletin Press office of the Holy See 8 July 2011 Retrieved 13 April 2022 a b c Bangladesch Standiger Kampf gegen Minderheiten Interview in German Interviewed by Josue Villalon Archdiocese of Cologne 4 September 2018 Retrieved 13 April 2022 La Iglesia Catolica holds out his hand to organizaciones como SED en Bangladesh in Spanish www sed ongd org 8 September 2014 Retrieved 13 April 2022 Christians suffering oppression looking forward to Pope s visit Aid to the Church in Need Canada Retrieved 13 April 2022 Monsignor Bejoy D Cruze is the new archbishop of Dhaka www worldmagazine it 2 October 2020 Retrieved 13 April 2022 Dhaka gets new archbishop Matters India 30 September 2020 Retrieved 13 April 2022 Resignations and appointments 30 09 2020 Holy See Press Office 30 September 2020 Retrieved 13 April 2022 The new Archbishop of Dhaka priority to be given to the family the powerhouse of the Gospel Agenzia Fides 26 November 2020 Retrieved 13 April 2022 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bejoy Nicephorus D 27Cruze amp oldid 1132059921, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
