We build Community
The Catholic Archdiocese of Chattogram is a particular Church where every believer has a place and active role to play.
PASTORAL VISION:
God has created man and woman in his own image and likeness. Every baptized person has received the sanctifying grace, i.e., the life of communion of the Holy Trinity. Chittagong Diocese as a community of baptized persons is called to grow and live faithfully the life of communion of the Holy Trinity. The diocese having many small communities spread throughout the vast territory of the diocese is a Communion of Communities. The diocese is a particular Church where every believer has a place and active role to play. It is therefore a participatory Church. The diocese is committed to becoming the Mystical Body of Christ according to the teachings of St. Paul: ONE BODY, MANY PARTS; ONE SPIRIT, MANY GIFTS.
PASTORAL PRIORITIES:
To make the vision a reality the diocese has the following priorities as seven pillars of diocese:
Catechesis and Faith Formation:
- Doctrinal Formation to all categories of people (adult, youth and children) through classes, seminars, courses, etc. The source book is Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Faith experience to be given through prayer, Lectio Divina, guided spiritual retreats, spiritual direction, celebrating sacraments, etc.
Education and Culture:
- Running schools (pre-primary, primary, high school, college), establishing schools in remote areas.
- Value education.
Organizational Development:
- Leadership training, Interreligious and Inter-church dialogue, Promoting Church movements, Credit Unions.
- Skill development.
Economic Empowerment:
- Credit union.
- Cooperative Housing Societies.
- Forums for professionals.
Healthcare:
- Medical care through parish dispensaries and sick shelters.
- Health education during pastoral visit to many scattered village communities.
Promotion of Harmony and Peace:
- Interreligious dialogue
- Option for the poor
Reaching out new places and communities (Evangelization):
- New Parish
- New Sub-centres
- More vocation
- Appointment of Catechists
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Learn More About Our Pastoral Work
Commissions and Desks
Six diocesan commissions were established to carry out the pastoral strategy in 1996 which were divided into 13 commissions and 3 desks in 2015 in order to accommodate the new pastoral plan from 2012.
Coordinating Bodies
Chattogram Archdiocese has a diocesan pastoral coordinating committee with two regional entities in Chattogram and Chattogram Hill Tracts. It plans a diocesan-level yearly general assembly, one regional meeting in Chattogram, and one meeting in CHT.
Forums of Life and Ministries
The Chattogram Archdiocese has a long-standing practice of encouraging coordination across various pastoral forums. There are various forums that frequently get together to talk about pastoral difficulties within the local church.
Pastoral Service Team
In August 1983, the Pastoral Service Team, popularly known as PST of Chattogram Diocese was set up by the Late Bishop Joachim Rozario, CSC and he appointed then Father Patrick D’Rozario, CSC, now a Cardinal the first director of the team.
Pilgrimage Places
On October 1, 1978, Late Bro. Flavian Laplante, CSC constructed the Grotto (shrine) of the Mother Mary in the hermitage and on February 11, 1979, he organized the feast of the Our Lady of Lourdes.
Formation Centers
The Chattogram Catholic Archdiocese has two formation centers. One is in Bandarban named ‘Fiat Pastoral Center’ and another is in Chattogram named ‘Archdiocesan Training Center’.
Our Faith