By God’s grace Church of Bangladesh (CoB) has elected Revd Shourabh Pholia the Bishop for it’s third diocese – Barisal. On 24th February Bishop’s Electoral Board comprising laities and all clergy of Church of Bangladesh gathered in a retreat at CoB Conference Centre at Savar, Dhaka and later both the houses voted to elect the Bishop. The retreat led by Fr. Benjamin Costa, C.S.C, Vice Chancellor (Acting) of Notre Dame University. Br. Guillaume from Taize Community and Sr. Agnes from Christo Sevika Sangha assisted Bishop Paul Shishir Sarker, Moderator of CoB to conduct the election.
It is a historical event for the Church of Bangladesh with lots of hopes to expedite the way of creating God’s Kingdom. Revd Shourabh, the Bishop-elect did his Bachelor in Science from B.L. College, Bangladesh in 1992. Later he obtained Bachelor Degree in Divinity (1993-97) and Masters in Missiology (2005) from the Senate of Serampore College (University), India and from Gloucestershire University, UK respectively. He ordained in 1997 as Deacon and in 1998 as Priest of CoB. In his journey with CoB he took different responsibilities in the Church Ministries. For last couple of years he has been serving as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Bible Society on deputation.
“It is God’s grace which I have received through you all. Please continue your prayers for me so that I can fulfill and follow the God’s will. I humbly submit myself to His call to serve our Church and the society. In this journey I need your prayers, blessings and support.” Said by the newly Bishop-elect Revd Shourabh Pholia.
Let us continue to pray for Revd Shourabh Pholia and his wife Suchitra Behera and their only daughter Shatabdi Pholia. Let us uphold them to our Lord so that they can be an ideal family, and Rev. Pholia, may become such a Shepherd who could bring his flock under God’s grace and care.
