Bangla Church gets professional training| Cathnews India

Bangla Church gets professional training

Published Date: March 15, 2010

Tags: bishops of Bangladesh, Caritas Bangladesh, Church in Bangladesh

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Chairmen and secretaries of episcopal commissions during the training program

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) recently conducted its first course on effective planning and dynamics for chairmen and secretaries of episcopal commissions (ECs).

“In the past, we were not effective enough in our planning and activities since EC heads and staff had no training on how to run their ministries,” said CBCB assistant secretary general, Father Subroto B. Gomes.

“They now have a short training program which will enhance their creativity and dynamics in planning.”

Father Gomes was speaking on the sidelines of the March 9-12 training course for EC staff members at the Bishop’s House in Rajshahi, northwestern Bangladesh. Some 30 secretaries and other staff from 15 episcopal commissions along with five bishops took part.

Caritas Bangladesh executive director Benedict Alo D’Rozario and Caritas Development Institute director Thelma Irene Rozario were the main instructors.

“Developing human resources and fundraising issues were important concerns that came out of the training,” Father Gomes said.

Furthermore, the course would help participants “be more effective and professional in adopting the ‘new way of being Church’ for … the local Church,” he added.

A three-year pastoral plan for the local Church has already been worked out and all episcopal commissions will work together to fulfill the Church’s mission, said Father Gomes.

According to Auxiliary Bishop Theotonius Gomes of Dhaka, the three-year plan “will focus on climate and justice issues in 2011, the strengthening of Basic Christian Communities in 2012, and in 2013, we’ll focus on the practice of self-giving for the betterment of all.”

The bishop, a course participant, is chairman of the episcopal commissions for Christian education and health care.

Another participant, Father Patrick Simon Gomes, secretary for the Episcopal Commission for Youth, told UCA News: “I really appreciate this initiative. As far as I know, no EC secretary has ever received professional training for the job.

“Lots of good things have happened in the Church in the past, but I think things will be even better from now on.”

Source:Church officials get professional training (UCAN)

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