Rt. Rev. Moses M. Costa, CSC
Coat of Arms:
Joy of Communion in Contemplation & Service.
His Grace, Most Rev. Moses M. Costa, CSC was the 5th Bishop Ordinary and 1st Archbishop of Chattogram. He breathed his last on 13 July 2020.
Archbishop Moses Costa, CSC was born on 17 November 1950 at St. John’s Parish located in Toomilia village of Gajipur district. He was the youngest among 11 children of Late Hiron Costa and Late Margarita Markena Gomes.
Moses Costa joined Little Flowers Seminary, Bandura on 5 April 1963. He has secured his Matriculation Exam in the first division and enrolled in the Major Seminary during the same year. He has completed his I.A. degree in 1971 from Notre Dame College and secured first division. In 1973 he has joined the Congregation of Holy Cross and completed a B.A. degree from Notre Dame College. During 1977-78 he was in the Holy Cross Novitiate, Sagardi, Barishal. On 20 January 1978, he has professed his first vows and on 20 January 1981 the final vows. Then on 21 January of the same year, he was ordained Deacon. On 5 February 1981 Late Archbishop Michael Rozario ordained him a Priest.
He has served in Srimangal Parish of present Sylhet Diocese during 1981-1983 and Jalchatra Parish of present Mymensingh Diocese during 1983-1984 as an Assistant Pastor. He was sent to Rome for higher studies in 1984 and obtained a Licentiate degree in ‘Theology and Spirituality in 1986 from St. Thomas Aquinas University. He has obtained a separate licentiate in ‘Phycology and Counseling’ in 1989 from Gregorian University. He returned to Bangladesh in 1990 and took the charge of Holy Cross Formation House ‘Mathis House’, continuing till 1992.
He has also been a professor in Holy Spirit Major Seminary, Banani during 1992-1996. From 1992 through 1995 he has also served as the rector of the major seminary. He that tenure he has served as the Director of ‘Holy Cross Scholasticate’ during 1995-1996.
On 20 July 1996 His Holiness, Pope Paul II named him the Bishop of Dinajpur and on 6 September 1996, he was consecrated. On 6 April 2011 he was named Bishop of Chattogram by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI and the installation took place on 27 May.
During his pastorship, Archbishop Moses did huge developments in the Diocese. As a result, His Holiness, Pope Francis created the second ecclesial province in Bangladesh on 2 February 2017 including Chattogram, Khulna and Barishal dioceses. He has established Chattogram the new metropolitan see raising her to the status of Archdiocese and appointed His Lordship, Moses Costa, CSC the 1st Archbishop. Archbishop Moses received his Pallium from the Holy Father on 29 June 2017.
He has served as the Secretary-General of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, Episcopal Commission for Youth, Episcopal Seminary Commission and Episcopal Commission for Health Care in different periods.
He was infected by Covid 19 during 2020 and recovered after a long battle. But he had been suffering from some post covid complications for which he had several brain strokes till 13 July 2020. He has breathed his last on the same day leaving the entire diocese and the Church in Bangladesh speechless! He was buried in Chattogram on 14 July in which all the local bishops were present.
Learn More About Our Bishops
Archbishop Subrato
His Grace, Most Rev. Lawrence S. Howlader, CSC was appointed Archbishop of Chattogram on 19 February 2021 and was installed on 22 May. He is invested with the Pallium on 26 November 2021.
Bishop Patrick
Most Rev. Partick D’Rozario, CSC was the 4th Bishop Ordinary of Chattogram. Later, he was made Archbishop of Dhaka and then a Cardinal.
Bishop Joachim
Most Rev. Joachim Rozario, CSC was the 3rd Bishop Ordinary and the 1st Bengali Bishop of Chattogram.
Bishop Larose
Most Rev. Raymond Larose, CSC was the 2nd Bishop Ordinary of Chattogram. He was a Canadian missionary.
Bishop Le Paillure
Most Rev. Alfred Le Paillure, CSC was the 1st Bishop Ordinary of newly established Chattogram Diocese. He was a Canadian missionary.
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