Archbishop Barry Morgan’s visit to Church of Bangladesh

The foundation stone of future Barisal Diocese	Clinic Visit
Visited Primary School at Jobarpar, Barisal	Rabindranath’s Kuthibari
Honored with a crest on behalf of Dhaka Diocese	Website Launch Banner

The foundation stone of future Barisal Diocese also has been laid down by Archbishop Barry Morgan with Bishop Paul S. Sarker.

The Hon. Synod Secretary Mr. Joseph S. Mondal, Rt. Rev. Michael S. Baroi, Hon. Dhaka Diocese Secretary Mr. Paul S. Dhali, Fr. Francis Pandey, Rev. Manindra Boidya and many other leaders including a big congregation were present in this special occasion. The Northern side (field) of the Epiphany Church of Oxford Mission, Barisal has been selected for the head quarter of Barisal Diocese.

In Jobarpar deanery they visited Barisal Oxford Mission, Jobarpar Christa Savika Sangha, CBSDP Office, Boys Hostel, Primary School etc. and in Ballovepur deanery they visited Karpasdanga, Ratonpur, Ballovepur Hospital and Mujib Nagar and Meherpur etc.  A Reception has been arranged in Kushtia Bishop’s house by Kushtia Diocese and Bishop Samuel S. Mankhin and Hon. Khustia Diocese Secretary Mr. Emmanuel Mondal and leaders of Ballovepur and Rajshahi Deanery including clergy were present in the occasion. In Kushtia they enjoyed visiting great poet Rabindranath’s Kuthibari and Mazar (burial ground) of great mystic of Bengal Lalon Fakir.

Everywhere people welcome them with banquet of flowers and delighting faces and offered them cordial hospitality with small gift or souvenirs. On behalf of Dhanyabushbar Sabha Ballovepur deanery gave a crest to archbishop.

On Saturday 18th February a celebration dinner was held in Dhaka in honour of Archbishop Barry and Mrs Hillary Morgan accompanied by the Moderator Right Rev. Paul Sarker and Mrs Janet Sarker. Synod secretary, Dhaka Diocesan Secretary, Dean of St Thomas Cathedral, staff from Dhaka office, advisors and several church members also attended.  Rev. Martin Mondal, Priest of St Andrews Church, Mirpur was master of ceremonies and welcomed all the guests to be seated. After Bishop Sarker officially welcomed Archbishop Morgan and his wife Hillary and gave a short address, it was the turn of Archbishop Morgan to give an address. At this stage Archbishop explained to everyone how both Bishop Sarker and Bishop Mankin had visited Wales and this visit was a result of communication with both Bishops and The Church of Bangladesh. He shared about his previous week travelling in Bangladesh and also the link with the theological colleges and schools in Bangladesh and his diocese in Wales. Archbishop Morgan also stated he was sure this was just the beginning and looked forward to working and communicating with Bishop Sarker and others from The Church of Bangladesh.

Archbishop Morgan and his wife Hillary then had the honour of officially launching the Church of Bangladesh website produced by Jones Loton Roy. Gifts to both Archbishop and his wife were presented and Bishop Sarker also gave a crest on behalf of The Church of Bangladesh.

Following a very enjoyable meal and several photographs, it was the opportunity for both Archbishop and Mrs. Morgan to say farewell to everyone. Archbishop Barry in his message overwhelmingly said, “Hillary and I want to thank from the bottom of our hearts for the enormous warmth of welcome we have received from the Church of Bangladesh. Never I have been greeted so warmly anywhere. I have always thought Wales was a warm hearted country but you take the warmth to new degrees.

“We in the west have become a bit cynical and jaded about matters of faith. We need your vibrancy and enthusiasm. You have also reminded us about the purpose of the Church. You have projects reaching out into every sphere of the society. Your projects and your commitment in so many ways are an object lesson to us and tangibly prove your love of God through love of your neighbours.

There are things that money cannot buy; things like faith, enthusiasm, and courage, in the face of adversity, perseverance, patience and love. As I have gone around your country I have seen all these in abundance and my hope is that some of these qualities will rub off on us in Wales.”

This was Archbishops final official function and everyone wished both him and Hillary God’s Blessings for their safe journey to Wales and hopefully as everyone stated ‘abar ashben’ (come again in Bangla).

In last June 2011 Moderator Rt. Rev. Paul Shishir Sarker had a visit to Llandaff Diocese of Church of Wales in response to an invitation from Rt. Rev. Barry Morgan, bishop of Llandaff Diocese and Archbishop of Wales. During this special visit both bishops have signed a twinning agreement between the Llandaff Diocese and Church of Bangladesh. Bishop Sarker invited Bishop Barry Morgan and his wife to visit Church of Bangladesh in return.