Bishops

Archbihop Bejoy N. D’Cruze OMI was born on Feb 9, 1956 in Village Tuitel (Tuitel parish). His father’s name was Lawrence D’Cruze and his mother’s name Mary D’Cruze. Among five brothers and three sisters, Bejoy is the third child in the family.  As a child he grew up in the village of Tuitel.  In 1964 his family moved to its new and permanent home in Village Chhoto Golla, on the piece of land purchased by his father. He grew up in that village and parish. Studies: Bejoy completed primary school education in St. Lawrence Primary School at Golla parish. He completed high school studies at Holy Cross High School at Bandura, where he passed School Final Exams with merit in 1974.  He finished I.A. and B.A. studies atNotre Dame College (Dhaka). As an Oblate seminarian, he completed Philosophical and Theological studies at Holy Spirit Major Seminary (Banani Dhaka). Following Priestly Ordination, the Bangladesh Oblate Delegation sent him to Rome for further Studies. From 1990-1992 he completed Licentiate in Theology at the Gregorian University and completed Doctoral studies in Theology at the same university from 1996 to 1999. Priestly Formation and Ordination: He entered Little Flower Seminary at Bandura in 1970.  From 1970 to 1974 he received his initial seminary formation with the assistance and support of the Rector and his fellow seminarians. He then received further seminary formation from 1974- 1979 at St. Joseph Seminary, Ramna Dhaka. At this time, he decided to be a Missionary Priest. In 1979, he joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a scholastic. He completed the Novitiate program of the Oblates in Sri Lanka from 1982 through 1983. On September 6, 1983, he made his First Profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, as well as those of stability / permanency (?). He made Final Profession on Nov 1, 1987.  On Nov 2 1986 he was ordained to the deaconate by Most Rev. Michael Rozario, Archbishop of Dhaka, and on Feb 20, 1987 he received Priestly Ordination at Golla parish.  Priestly and Episcopal Ministry: From 1987-1990 Father Bejoy served as Assistant Parish Priest at Lokkhipur and Mugaipar parishes. From 1993 to 1996, he was Director of Oblate Junior Formation House.  From 2000 to 2001, he was Director of De Mazenod Scholasticate; and, from 2001 to 2005 he was Superior of the Oblate Delegation of Bangladesh.  From 2005 to 2011 he was Bishop of the Diocese of Khulna, and from 2011 to 2020, Bishop of Sylhet Diocese. On Sept 30, 2020 H.H. Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Dhaka.  He assumed responsibility as Archbishop of Dhaka on Nov 27, 2020.   

Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario CSC was born on Oct 1, 1943 in Village Padrisibpur (Padrisibpur parish).  His father’s name was Michael Ningel D’Rozario, and his mother was Dispina D’Rozario. His father was popularly called “shadhu” (a saintly person), as he lived in a spirit and manner of “shunning worldly way of life”.  He wore red-color clothes. The family’s livelihood depended on farming, and followed an agricultural way of life.  Studies:  Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario had his primary education in St. Alfred School at his home parish. He was a bright student and very dear to all the teachers. He was a very attentive student. In 1961 he completed with honors the SSC exams.  Following this, he completed I.A. studies at Notre Dame College, Dhaka in 1964, and B.A. studies from the same College in 1966. Meanwhile, he completed a year of Novitiate in 1961 at Holy Cross Novitiate in Sagardi, Barishal.  His First Profession as a Religious of the Congregation of Holy Cross transpired on June 14, 1962. He then entered Christ the King Seminary in Karachi in 1965, where he completed the Major Seminary Philosophical and Theological studies. Priestly and Episcopal Ministry: He was ordained Priest in his home parish on Jan 8, 1972 by Bishop Joachim Rozario CSC, Bishop of Chittagong.  In 1972-73, he worked as Assistant Pastor at Gournadi parish; at the same time, he was Director of the Gournadi CORR project. In 1973-76, he completed Licentiate studies in Moral Theology in Leuven, Belgium from 1976 to 1982, he was professor of Moral Theology at National Major Seminary (Holy Spirit Major Seminary) in Dhaka.  During that same time, he was Dean of Studies and Assistant Director of Holy Cross Seminarians at Notre Dame College.  From 1983 to 1990, he continued as part-time Professor of Moral Theology for the Major Seminary. On May 21, 1990 he was nominated as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Rajshahi.  He received Episcopal Ordination on Sept 12, 1990 at Bonpara parish. On Feb 3, 1995 he was appointed Bishop of Chattogram, and was installed as Bishop of Chattogram on Apr 21, 1995. On Nov 25, 2010, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Dhaka, and installed as Archbishop of Dhaka on Jan 25, 2011. On Oct 9, 2016 Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario was elevated to Cardinal, an office he assumed on Nov 19, 2016. He retired as Archbishop of Dhaka on Nov 27, 2020.

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.

Archbishop Michael Rozario, was born on Jan 18, 1926 in the greenery ambient of Madbor Bari of Village Solepur of Bikrompur Union, District Dhaka. His parents were Mr. Urban Rozario and Mrs. Victoria Peris. He was the fourth child among four sons and three daughters of a generally well-to-do family. After Primary Education at his home parish in 1940, and following a call to the priestly life, he entered Little Flower Seminary, Bandura. There he continued High School studies at Bandura Holy Cross High School, where he showed himself quite prominent in Sports. He was especially bright in Mathematics. He passed SSC exams in 1947 from Bandura Holy Cross High School in 1st Division with merits, receiving as well Scholarship. Following this, he was sent for seminary formation at St. Albert Seminary in Ranchi India.  Completing studies there, he came back to his home country (Bangladesh) in 1948 and completed I.A. studies from Jogonnath College in Dhaka in 1950. In 1951 Archbishop Lawrence Graner sent him to Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame Indiana, where he completed Graduate Studies in Philosophy at Notre Dame University in 1953. Then he was sent to Rome for Theological Studies at Pontifical University of Propaganda Fide. He was ordained Priest in Rome on Dec 22, 1956 by His Holiness Pope Pius XII. After Priestly Ordination, he returned to his home country in 1957 and began his priestly ministry, first as Assistant Parish-Priest at Bhalukapara of Mymensingh Diocese (at that time part of Dhaka Archdiocese).  From 1958 to 1961 he had the responsibility of Editor of Weekly Pratibeshi and the Bi-Weekly Bulletin in English. He was parish-priest of the then Holy Cross Cathedral Parish of Luxmibazar in 1961-62.  From 1962 to 1966 he was Rector of Little Flower Seminary at Bandura.  In 1968 he was appointed by Archbishop Most Rev. Theotonius A. Ganguly CSC as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. Shortly afterwards, on Sept 5, 1968, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dinajpur by His Holiness Pope Paul VI. He received Episcopal Ordination on Dec 8, 1968.  Most Rev. Theotonius A. Ganguly CSC, first Bengali Archbishop, died on Sept 2, 1977.  On January 5, 1978, His Holiness Pope Paul VI appointed Bishop Michael Rozario as the 2nd Bengali Archbishop of Dhaka. Most Rev. Michael Rozario assumed his responsibility as Archbishop of Dhaka on April 9, 1978.  Archbishop Michael Rozario celebrated Silver Jubilee of Priesthood on Jan 31, 1982. On July 9, 2005, in accordance with Church regulations, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI released him from the responsibility of Archbishop of Dhaka.

Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly was born in Hashnabad, which is in present-day Bangladesh, on Feb. 18, 1920, the feast day of his patron saint, St. Theotonius. His family added the Bengali name Amal, which means “spotless” or “innocent.” After being educated by the Brothers of Holy Cross at Holy Cross  High School in Bandura, Theotonius attended St. Albert’s Seminary in Ranchi, Bihar, India. He was ordained a diocesan priest in the Dhaka Archdiocese on June 6, 1946. In 1947, Ganguly went to the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, in the United States to earn a master’s degree and doctorate. He graduated with his Doctorate in Philosophy in 1951, making him the first Bengali Christian to receive a doctorate. It was the first of several firsts Ganguly’s life would mark for the Catholic community in Bangladesh. While at Notre Dame, he came to know Holy Cross more closely and decided to enter the Congregation. He attended the Novitiate in Jordan, Minnesota, and professed First Vows on August 16, 1952. Upon returning to homeland, Ganguly began teaching at Notre Dame College, a well-respected college run by the Congregation in Dhaka. He was made the school’s Dean of Studies in 1954 and Assistant Principal in 1958. In between, Ganguly made his Final Vows in 1955. Upon the death of Rev. James I. Martin, C.S.C., on March 21, 1960, Ganguly was appointed Principal at Notre Dame College. He was the first Bengali appointed to that position. That appointment, however, did not last long as on September 3 of the same year, Pope John XXIII nominated Fr. Ganguly as Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Lawrence L. Graner in the Archdiocese of Dhaka. Ganguly was ordained a bishop on October 7, 1960, becoming the first Bengali bishop in history. He immediately began work as Archbishop Graner’s auxiliary. Ganguly’s work as Auxiliary Bishop included serving as Pastor of a parish and working as Archdiocesan Treasurer. On July 6, 1965, he was appointed Graner’s co-adjutor, and when the archbishop retired November 23, 1967, Ganguly became the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. In his leadership at both Notre Dame College and in the Archdiocese, Ganguly was known for the way he respected the dignity of every person. He had a truly religious spirit and a gentlemanly character. His gentle, yet strong persona helped him shepherd the Archdiocese through the trying time of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. A heart attack caused his sudden death on Sept. 2, 1977. Archbishop Ganguly’s Cause for Sainthood was opened by the Archdiocese of Dhaka in September 2006, thereby declaring Ganguly a Servant of God. The diocesan phase of the cause was closed on April 19, 2018. The documents have been submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints in Rome, for the writing of the required positio on the life and virtue of Archbishop Ganguly. While on his apostolic visit to Bangladesh in November and December 2017, Pope Francis blessed the grave of Archbishop Ganguly at the St. Mary’s Cathedral compound in Dhaka.

Bishop Lawrence Leo Graner, CSC (April 3, 1901 – April 21, 1982) was Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka from July 15, 1950 to November 23, 1967. Archbishop Graner was a religious of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Graner was born on April 3, 1901 in Franklin, Venango County, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. He was the second son of William Bernard Groner and his wife Martha Emily Coxson. In 1947, Graner was consecrated a bishop and appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Dhaka. Three years later It was elevated to Metropolitan Archdiocese by Pope Pius XII and he became its archbishop. In November 1967, he resigned from the post and then he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Vazari-Didda. He died on April 21, 1982 at Notre Dame in St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Bishop Legrand resigned on November 11, 1929 and Bishop Crowley took over responsibility for the diocese. At the time of his resignation Bishop Legrand was the oldest bishop of British India. Bishop Crowley had served in several parishes and spent five years as Headmaster at St. Gregory’s H.S., where “he acquired an enviable reputation for gentleness, executive ability, tact and urbanity.”‘ He had been Vicar General from 1916 to 1925, when he was appointed coadjutor bishop. From 1923 to 1927 he was Religious Superior of Dacca Holy Cross religious, living at Turnilia. He was “a zealous missionary, capable teacher and an able administrator.”‘ Bishop Louge was from France. He joined Holy Cross in the United States in 1872. Bishop of Dhaka 1890-1894. Buried in Luxmibazar Church. Bishop Hurth born in Germany and Joined Holy Cross in Bemerna, College President when appointed bishop in 1894. He work only 37 years old. Resigned in 1910. Latin bishop of diocese of Nueva Segovia in ht Philippines Died there and is buried in the Cathedral there. Bishop Linneborn born in Germany and Joined Holy Cross in America. Served as procutor for the Congregation in Rome. Bishop of Dhaka 1910. Died suddenly in July 1915. Buried in the Church at Luxmibazar. Bishop Legrand born in France. Earlier had been a priest of the Foreign Mission Society of Parish was a Missionary for 6 years in Japan. Joined Holy Cross in 1897. Came to Bengal in 1903. Made bishop in 1916. In 1927 Bishop Crowley become his coadjutor. Bishop Legrand retired in 1929. He had been the First bishop of Dhaka to have been here as a missionary. Bishop Crowley Born in Ireland and joined Holy Cross in America. Became bishop of Dhaka in 1929 and served until his sudden death in 1945. We had served here for 20 years as a priest. He is buried in Luxmibazar Church. Bishop/Archbishop Graner born in America. Came as missionary priest in 1928. Made bishop in 1947 and Archbishop from 1950. Resigned in 1967 under pressure from Pakistan government. He died in America in 1982.

Bishop Joseph Legrand, CSC became bishop in 1916. He had been a missionary in Japan for six years as a member of the For¬eign Mission Society of Paris before he joined Holy Cross in 1895. He first came to E. Bengal in 1903, returned to France in 1914, then came back as bishop of Dacca June 1, 1917. Due to World War I the See had remained vacant for a full year. The first official act of Bishop Legrand was to name Father Crowley his Vicar General in 1916, recognising fully his zeal and many talents. Fr. Timothy Crowley, CSC, had gone to the USA from Ireland at an early age. After joining Holy Cross he obtained his doctorate at The Catholic University of America and was teaching English at the University ofNotre Dame when he was sent to E. Bengal in 1907. Bishop Legrand brought in Holy Cross Sisters and Catechist Sisters of Mary Immaculate to supplement the work of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission, who had worked alone for so many years in E. Bengal.