Archbishop Paulinus Costa was born, on Oct 19, 1936 in Rangamatia parish in the village of Choto Satanipara. His family has nine children, of whom 6 sons and 3 daughters. Paulinus was the fourth child. Two brothers and one sister died very young. His father was a farmer and the whole family worked on the farm. His father was late Joseph Costa, and his mother was the late Virginia Rebeiro.
Paulinus finished his first years of Primary Education at his home parish, following which he entered the fourth grade at Little Flower Seminary at Bandura in 1948. There, he continued High School studies at Bandura Holy Cross High School. Being a good student, and was well-liked by the Rector, the Brothers and the teachers at the school. He performed his responsibilities in the seminary with enthusiasm. He passed the Matriculation Exams in 1955 from Bandura Holy Cross High School. Coming to Dhaka, he then passed the I.A. studies with Honors from Notre Dame College in 1957. That same year, Archbishop L. L. Graner sent him to Rome to the Propaganda Fide College, where he spent 7 years: 3 years for the study of philosophy, and 4 years for theological studies. He was ordained Deacon by H.E. Cardinal Agagenian on Aug 15, 1962 at Castel Gondolfo outside of Rome. He was then ordained a Priest in Rome by H.E. Cardinal Sigismondi on Dec 23, 1963.
In 1969, Father Paulinus went to England for one year of specialized studies on Christian Leadership. In 1971 he had his first pastoral assignment at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ramna. In 1972, he became Mymensingh Regional Director of Caritas Bangladesh. Later he assumed the position of Executive Director of Caritas on temporary basis. In 1983, Fr Paulinus went to Rome to complete doctoral studies in Sacred Theology. From 1988 to 1996 he was Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. From 1992 to 1996, he was rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral Ramna. On Jan 25, 1996 Father Paulinus was nominated to be Bishop of Rajshahi, and he received Episcopal Ordination on April 26, 1996.
On July 9, 2005 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as Archbishop of Dhaka. He was consecrated 4th Archbishop of Dhaka on Sept 9, 2005. Archbishop Paulinus exercised his ministry as Archbishop of Dhaka for six years. He retired on Oct 22, 2011, and he spent his retirement at Holy Rosary Parish Tejgaon until his death. He died on Jan 3, 2015 at the age of 79.