View source for Christianity in Bangladesh

{{Short description|none}}
{{Christianity}}
{{Christianity by country}}
[[File:Christmas statues depicting Mary and nativity, Archbishop's House, Kakrail, Dhaka 1.jpg|alt=Christmas statues depicting Mary and nativity, Archbishop's House, Kakrail, Dhaka|thumb|261x261px|Christmas in Bangladesh]]
Christians in [[Bangladesh]] account for 0.30% (roughly 500,000 believers) of the nation's population as of 2022 census.<ref name="dhakatribune.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/07/27/bangladeshs-population-size-now-1651-million |title=Census 2022: Bangladesh population now 165 million |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=27 July 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Bangladesh |url=https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/bangladesh/ |access-date=2020-06-08 |newspaper=Open Doors USA}}</ref> Together with [[Judaism in bangladesh|Judaism]] and [[Buddhism in Bangladesh|Buddhism]] (plus other minority religious groups such as [[Irreligion in Bangladesh|Atheism]], [[Sikhism in Bangladesh|Sikhism]], the [[Bahá'í Faith]] and others), they account for 1% of the population. [[Islam in Bangladesh|Islam]] accounts for 91.04% of the country's religion, followed by [[Hinduism in Bangladesh|Hinduism]] at 7.95% as per 2022 census.<ref name="dhakatribune.com" /> {{Historical populations
|title       = Historical Christian Population
|footnote    =
|align       = right
|width       =
|state       =
|shading     =
|pop_name    =
|percentages =
|source      =
Bangladesh government census authority<ref name="bangladeshgov">{{cite web |url=http://hrcbmdfw.org/files/22/population_data/entry489.aspx |title=Bangladesh- Population census 1991: Religious Composition 1901-1991 |website=Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities of Dallas/Fortworth |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114232945/http://hrcbmdfw.org/files/22/population_data/entry489.aspx |archive-date=14 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="dhakatribune.com" /><ref name=census2011>{{cite web|url=http://203.112.218.65:8008/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/National%20Reports/Union%20Statistics.pdf|title=Population & Housing Census |date=2011 |author=[[Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics]] |publisher=Bangladesh Government |access-date=17 April 2015 |quote="Population By Religion (%) Muslim 90.39 Hindu 8.54 Buddhist 0.60 Christian 0.37 Others 0.14" |quote-page=xxiii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903181037/http://203.112.218.65:8008/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/National%20Reports/Union%20Statistics.pdf |archive-date=3 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|1951 | 107,000
|1961 | 149,000
|1974 | 216,000
|1981 | 275,000
|1991 | 350,839 
|2001 | 385,501
|2011 | 532,961
|2022 | 495,475
}}

== History ==
[[File:Patharghatta Catholic Church Chittagong.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chittagong]]]]
[[File:The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, built in 1781, Dhaka.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Armenian Church (Dhaka)|Dhaka's Armenian Church]], built in 1781]]

The introduction and development of Christianity in the [[Indian subcontinent]] can be traced back to several periods, with the help of several countries and denominations. The earliest connection to Christianity can be linked back to the arrival of the [[Thomas the Apostle|Apostle Thomas]] to the [[Malabar Coast]] during the first century, in 52 A.D.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Embree |first=Ainslie T. |date=2006-10-26 |title=Christian Communities in South Asia |journal=Oxford Handbooks Online |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195137989.003.0035}}</ref> In addition, the Apostle had managed to convert several thousands of Hindu Brahmins, as they were "attracted" to the lifestyle and were "impressed" by Jesus' sacrifice.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Islam |first=S.A.M. Ziaul |year=2014 |title=Christianization and Christianity in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315836098 |journal=Journal of the Chittagong University Journal of Arts and Humanities |volume=29 |page=9}}</ref>

Christianity did not have a presence in Bangladesh until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1510 with individuals like [[Afonso de Albuquerque|Alfonso de Albuquerque]]<ref name=":1" /> and Portuguese missionaries.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Zene, Cosimo.|title=The Rishi of Bangladesh: a History of Christian Dialogue|date=2014|publisher=Taylor and Francis|isbn=978-1-136-86139-0|oclc=876513050}}</ref> Albuquerque attempted to spread Christianity by encouraging inter-marriage with native Bengali women, therefore their descendants were the first generations of Christians. By 1514, the Portuguese had obtained the right to preach Christianity in Bengal, thanks to the agreement between the Catholic Pope and the King of Portugal.<ref name=":1" />

In 1672, Dome Antonio da Rozari, a young Bengali convert, had managed to convert 20,000 low-caste Hindus into Christianity.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation|title=Christianity: 1200 to 1900: South, Central, and West Asia|encyclopedia=Cultural Sociology of the Middle East, Asia, & Africa: An Encyclopedia|year=2012|publisher=SAGE Publications, Inc.|doi=10.4135/9781452218458.n679|isbn=978-1-4129-8176-7}}</ref> Afterwards, between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Portuguese missionaries were evangelising and preaching in the [[Bengali language]]. Soon on, evangelical books and Christian theology were being written in Bengali.<ref name=":1" />

In 1740, the first Protestant, [[John Zachariah Kiernander|Reverend John Zachariah Kiernander]], arrived in Bangladesh. In 1770, he funded and built a Protestant church called "Mission Church" in West Bengal.<ref name=":1" />

By the 18th century, British missionaries, such as [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]], had built more churches, translated the Bible and other Christian books, and had set up religious schools.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Uddin |first=Sufia M. |year=2006 |title=Constructing Bangladesh: religion, ethnicity, and language in an Islamic nation |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |page=51 |isbn=978-0-8078-3021-5}}</ref> British missionaries had also developed Christian newspapers (such as "''[[Digdarshan]]",'' "''The Gospel Magazine",'' and "''The Christian Mohila")'' in an effort to spread the gospel.<ref name=":1" />

In more recent times, the rise of Christianity in Bangladesh can be credited to Western NGOs and Christian charities,<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Thompson, Anna Patricia|title=Exploring the mission-development nexus through stories from Christian 'missionaries ' in Bangladesh : a thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Development Studies|date=2012|oclc=904070507}}</ref> who provided humanitarian work after the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|Liberation War]] in 1971.<ref name=":52">{{Cite book|last=Islam, Md Saidul.|url=https://www.academia.edu/5685069|title=The role NGOs in promoting christianity : the case of Bangladesh|date=2001|oclc=969718454}}</ref>

Since then, these NGOs and charities (see '''''Contributions''''') have not only assisted with support for emergency relief, healthcare, and education in Bangladesh, but they have also encouraged the practice of reading the Bible.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last1=Ali|first1=Md Yousuf|last2=Nurullah|first2=Abu Sadat|date=1970-01-01|title=Challenges of Islamic Da'wah in Bangladesh: The Christian Missions and Their Evangelization|journal=IIUC Studies|volume=4|pages=87–108|doi=10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2857|issn=2408-8544|doi-access=free|citeseerx=10.1.1.628.8423}}</ref> Currently, it is estimated that there are approximately 17 000 to 23 000 NGOs in Bangladesh.<ref name=":4" />

In the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] (March–December 1971), a significant number of Bangladeshis left Islam to join Christianity (because missionaries stood with them during their difficult times during the civil strife) or to atheism after 1971 due to their experience of oppression conducted by fellow Muslims from [[West Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Khalil|first1=Mohammad Hassan|last2=Bilici|first2=Mucahit|date=January 2007|title=Conversion Out of Islam: A Study of Conversion Narratives of Former Muslims|url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/72141/j.1478-1913.2007.00161.x.pdf|journal=The Muslim World|volume=97|pages=111–124|doi=10.1111/j.1478-1913.2007.00161.x|hdl=2027.42/72141|via=deepblue.lib.umich.edu|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

=== History of churches ===
The first church (in present-day Bangladesh)  was officially inaugurated in Jessore, erstwhile Chandecan (now Jashore). The church was named "The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus" and was built by the Jesuits, who were not only given permission, but also financial support and land by the King of Jessore.<ref>Ray, Aniruddha (1976). "Case Study of a Revolt in Medieval Bengal: Raja Pratapaditya Guha Roy". In De, Barun (ed.). Essays in Honour of Prof. S.C. Sarkar. Delhi: People's Pub. House</ref>

The second church was financially supported by the Arakanese King and was built by Andre Boves on June 24, 1600.<ref name=":1" /> This church was built in Chittagong and was called "St. John the Baptist Church".<ref name=":1" />

In 1601, the third church was built by Dominicans in the south-east of Chittagong. Eventually these churches were burnt down from the attacks by the Arakanese.<ref name=":1" />

=== William Carey and missionaries ===
According to religious studies scholar Sufia M. Uddin, William Carey can be seen as "one of the most important early Christian missionary figures".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Uddin |first=Sufia M. |year=2006|title=Constructing Bangladesh: religion, ethnicity, and language in an Islamic nation |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |page=49 |isbn=978-0-8078-3021-5}}</ref> Carey had arrived in Bangladesh in 1773, where he was financially supported by the Baptist Missionary Society to carry out missionary work.<ref name=":6" /> Carey believed his success as a missionary, was due to him learning the Bengali language and therefore being able to translate the gospel.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Uddin |first=Sufia M. |year=2006|title=Constructing Bangladesh: religion, ethnicity, and language in an Islamic nation |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |page=50 |isbn=978-0-8078-3021-5}}</ref>

In 1801, he was able to publish a translation of [[New Testament|The New Testament]], which was the first translation in any South Asian language. Carey then published a Bengali grammar that same year and was also appointed as a professor at [[Fort William College]].<ref name=":3" /> Carey, with the assistance of Joshua Marshman and William Ward created [[Serampore College]].<ref name=":1" />

Carey's colleagues and missionary team built a Bengali boys' school and by 1817, they were operating 45 boys' schools. As for girls, in 1818 they opened their first Bengali girls' school and by 1824, they were running 6 girls' schools.<ref name=":3" /> These mission-run schools would often attract students with scholarships and accommodation.<ref name=":52"/>

Carey also oversaw the works the Bible being translated into more than 34 Indian languages, while the missionaries wrote books and tracts favouring the Christian lifestyle. These books and tracts (such as "Prophet's Testimony of Christ", "God's Punishment of Sin", and "Krishna and Christ Compared") not only emphasised the benefits of Christian life, but reportedly condemned Hindu and Islamic beliefs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Uddin |first=Sufia M. |year=2006|title=Constructing Bangladesh: religion, ethnicity, and language in an Islamic nation |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |pages=51–52 |isbn=978-0-8078-3021-5}}</ref>

According to scholars Khalil Bilici, during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] (March–December 1971), a significant number of Bangladeshis left Islam to join Christianity (because missionaries stood with them during their difficult times during the civil strife) or to atheism after 1971 due to their experience of oppression conducted by fellow Muslims from [[West Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Khalil|first1=Mohammad Hassan|last2=Bilici|first2=Mucahit|date=January 2007|title=Conversion Out of Islam: A Study of Conversion Narratives of Former Muslims|url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/72141/j.1478-1913.2007.00161.x.pdf|journal=The Muslim World|volume=97|pages=111–124|doi=10.1111/j.1478-1913.2007.00161.x|hdl=2027.42/72141|via=deepblue.lib.umich.edu|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

=== Female missionaries ===
In 1822, Miss Mary Anne Cooke was one of the first English female missionaries. Prior to this in 1820, missionary [[William Ward (missionary)|William Ward]] had encouraged for English women to preach Christianity, in order to connect more with Bengali women. With help from the Christian Missionary Society, Cooke founded 15 girls' schools with around 300 students within the Calcutta area.<ref name=":1" />

Sister Argerita Bellasiny, Sister Brigida Janella, and Sister Agostina Bigo from Italy were called upon Father Marietti {{Who|date=October 2022}} on 17 May 1868 to help with missionary outreach. The three would spread Christianity by going door to door, particularly focusing on poor and vulnerable widows.<ref name=":1" />

=== First Christian martyr ===
Father Francisco Fernandez was the first martyr in Bangladesh; he died on 14 November 1602.<ref name=":2" /> He was led to his death because he had attempted to save Christian women and children from being captured and used as slaves by the [[Arakanese people|Arakanese]] who are [[Buddhists]].<ref name=":2" /> He was detained, chained, and beaten to death.<ref name=":2" />


==Geographical distribution ==
According to 2022 cencus, Christianity is followed by 0.3% people. They are mainly Santal, Garo, khasi, Oraon, Lushai and other tribes.

{{static row numbers}}{{sort under}}{{Table alignment}}{{row hover highlight}}
{| class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header-text defaultleft col2right hover-highlight"
! Upazila
! District 
! Division 
! Percentage of Christianity<ref>https://bbs.portal.gov.bd/site/page/b432a7e5-8b4d-4dac-a76c-a9be4e85828c</ref>
|-
|[[Ruma Upazila  ]]
|[[Bandarban District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 37.32 %
|-
|[[ Thanchi Upazila  ]]
|[[ Bandarban District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 34.43 %
|-
|[[ Rowangchhari Upazila  ]]
|[[ Bandarban District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 17.83 %
|-
|[[Rajasthali Upazila  ]]
|[[ Rangamati Hill District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 10.83 %
|-
|[[Belaichhari Upazila  ]]
|[[ Rangamati Hill District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 9.60%
|-
|[[ Alikadam Upazila  ]]
|[[ Bandarban District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 6.51%
|-
|[[Lama Upazila  ]]
|[[ Bandarban District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 6.24%
|-
|[[ Bandarban Sadar Upazila  ]]
|[[ Bandarban District ]]
|[[ Chattogram  Division]]
|align=center| 5.83%
|-
|[[Tanore Upazila  ]]
|[[Rajshahi District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 5.69%
|-
|[[Kaliganj Upazila, Gazipur|Kaliganj Upazila  ]]
|[[Gazipur District ]]
|[[ Dhaka Division]]
|align=center| 5.41%
|-
|[[Ghoraghat Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 5.40%
|-
|[[Mujibnagar Upazila  ]]
|[[Meherpur District ]]
|[[ Khulna  Division]]
|align=center| 4.73%
|-
|[[Dhobaura Upazila  ]]
|[[Mymensingh District ]]
|[[ Mymensingh Division]]
|align=center| 4.68%
|-
|[[Madhupur Upazila  ]]
|[[Tangail District ]]
|[[ Dhaka Division]]
|align=center| 4.28%
|-
|[[Haluaghat Upazila  ]]
|[[Mymensingh District ]]
|[[ Mymensingh Division]]
|align=center| 3.84%
|-
|[[Godagari Upazila  ]]
|[[Rajshahi District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 3.83%
|-
|[[Durgapur Upazila, Netrokona|Durgapur Upazila  ]]
|[[Netrokona District ]]
|[[ Mymensingh Division]]
|align=center| 3.68%
|-
|[[Dhamoirhat Upazila  ]]
|[[Naogaon District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 3.09%
|-
|[[Mongla Upazila  ]]
|[[Bagerhat District ]]
|[[ Khulna Division]]
|align=center| 3.02%
|-
|[[Nawabganj Upazila, Dinajpur|Nawabganj Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 3.00%
|-
|[[Birampur Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 2.95%
|-
|[[Kalmakanda Upazila  ]]
|[[Netrokona District ]]
|[[ Mymensingh Division]]
|align=center| 2.87%
|-
|[[Dacope Upazila  ]]
|[[Khulna District ]]
|[[ Khulna Division]]
|align=center| 2.12%
|-
|[[Agailjhara Upazila  ]]
|[[Barishal District ]]
|[[ Barishal Division]]
|align=center| 2.12%
|-
|[[Patnitala Upazila  ]]
|[[Naogaon District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 2.09%
|-
|[[Fulbari Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 2.04%
|-
|[[Nachole Upazila  ]]
|[[Chapainawabganj District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 2.03%
|-
|[[Baraigram Upazila  ]]
|[[Natore District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 1.90%
|-
|[[Jhenaigati Upazila  ]]
|[[Sherpur District ]]
|[[ Mymensingh Division]]
|align=center| 1.79%
|-
|[[Niamatpur Upazila  ]]
|[[Naogaon District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 1.78%
|-
|[[Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila  ]]
|[[ Khagrachhari District ]]
|[[ Chattogram Division]]
|align=center| 1.75%
|-
|[[Kulaura Upazila  ]]
|[[Moulvibazar District ]]
|[[ Sylhet Division]]
|align=center| 1.70%
|-
|[[Birganj Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 1.54%
|-
|[[Panchbibi Upazila  ]]
|[[Joypurhat District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 1.43%
|-
|[[Bochaganj Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 1.43%
|-
|[[Hakimpur Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 1.36%
|-
|[[Porsha Upazila  ]]
|[[Naogaon District ]]
|[[ Rajshahi Division]]
|align=center| 1.35%
|-
|[[Sreemangal Upazila  ]]
|[[Moulvibazar District ]]
|[[ Sylhet Division]]
|align=center| 1.33%
|-
|[[Nawabganj Upazila, Dhaka|Nawabganj Upazila  ]]
|[[Dhaka District ]]
|[[ Dhaka Division]]
|align=center| 1.29%
|-
|[[Nalitabari Upazila  ]]
|[[Sherpur District ]]
|[[ Mymensingh Division]]
|align=center| 1.27%
|-
|[[Atwari Upazila  ]]
|[[Panchagarh District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 1.09%
|-
|[[Kaptai Upazila  ]]
|[[ Rangamati Hill District ]]
|[[ Chattogram Division]]
|align=center| 1.02%
|-
|[[Madhyanagar Upazila  ]]
|[[Sunamganj District ]]
|[[ Sylhet Division]]
|align=center| 1.02%
|-
|[[Dinajpur Sadar Upazila  ]]
|[[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 1.01%
|-
|[[Pirganj Upazila, Thakurgaon|Pirganj Upazila  ]]
|[[Thakurgaon District ]]
|[[ Rangpur Division]]
|align=center| 1.00%
|-
|Others
|
|
|align=center| <1%
|-
|}

==Contributions==
Christians have greatly served the education and health sectors. This tiny community has some 1000 schools and about 100 health care centers and hospitals. In Bangladesh, the Christian community runs the country's largest cooperative bank in Dhaka.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

Having worked in Bangladesh as a missionary since 1952, Father [[Richard William Timm]], [[Congregation of Holy Cross|C.S.C.]] won the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for Peace and International Understanding, the Asian Nobel Prize, in 1987 in recognition of his work as a teacher, as a biologist studying plant-parasitic worms, and with [[Caritas (charity)|Caritas]] on relief efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/awardees/awardee/profile/295 |title=Awardees: Timm, Richard William |work=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation |access-date=2016-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114121/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/awardees/awardee/profile/295 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the 1990s, many people opposed the aid of Christian NGOs, and therefore there was a spike in the number of protests and violence opposing the religious influence of Christian NGOs. Up to 52 NGOs were considered to be "anti-Islamic", with the intentions of "proselytising" the Islamic nation to Christianity, targeting the vulnerable; the outcasts, the uneducated, and the poor.<ref name=":52"/>

==Persecution==
With the rise of Islamic fundamentalist movement, Christians in Bangladesh often face the pressure from [[Islamic terrorism|radical Islamic groups]] or threats (such as [[Persecution of Christians|persecution]] and harassment) from the wider community. In 2019, several churches, such as Mohandi Assemblies of God church, were either burnt down or destroyed.<ref name=":0" /> To combat this, Christians would gather in secret or in small houses to practice their religion.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, in 2020, it is alleged that several Christians were detained by police for "unlawful conversion".<ref name=":0" />

Conditions have improved in recent years as Bangladesh moved from place 35 on the [[World Watch List]] of Christian persecution in 2015 to place 48 in 2019. However, a rise of violence against Christians sent the country to number 30 on the list in 2023.<ref>[https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/bangladesh/ Open Doors website, retrieved 2023-08-08]</ref> Persecution of Christians in Bangladesh has since intensified at the hands of conservative Sunni Muslims.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beech |first=Hannah |last2=Bastians |first2=Dharisha |last3=Schultz |first3=Kai |date=2019-04-21 |title=Religious Minorities Across Asia Suffer Amid Surge in Sectarian Politics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/21/world/asia/sri-lanka-religion-christians.html |access-date=2024-08-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |quote=The ruling party in Bangladesh, the secular-leaning Awami League, has partnered with conservative Muslim clerics who routinely call for the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians.}}</ref> In May 2024, Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] made false allegations of a Christian plot to "carve out" an independent Christian country in Bangladesh and Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-27 |title=PM Sheikh Hasina alleges plot to carve out Christian state from Bangladesh: ‘A white man offered…’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pm-sheikh-hasina-alleges-plot-to-carve-out-christian-state-from-bangladesh-a-white-man-offered-101716790082724.html |access-date=2024-08-05 |work=[[The Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> The [[Archbishop of Dhaka]] [[Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze]] categorically denied the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carvalho |first=Nirmala |date=2024-05-28 |title=Catholic archbishop says Church supports Bangladesh, denies reports of ‘Christian State’ |url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia/2024/05/catholic-archbishop-says-church-supports-bangladesh-denies-reports-of-christian-state/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Crux |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom;<ref>[https://freedomhouse.org/country/zambia/freedom-world/2022 Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08]</ref> this was mainly due to threats of violence to non-Muslims.

=== Other attacks on Christians ===
On 3 June 2001, there was a bomb attack during mass in a Catholic church located in Baniarchor; the attack had killed nine people.<ref name=":2" />

An Italian aid worker, Cesare Tavella was shot and killed in 2015. Parolari Piero, an Italian priest and doctor was shot several times in 2015.<ref name=":2" />

In 2016, a Christian businessman named Sunil Gomes was hacked to death.<ref name=":2" />

On 1 July 2016, 20 hostages were massacred by a group of Islamic militants.<ref name=":2" />

Pastor Luke Sarkar of Faith Bible Church was attacked on 5 October 2015 and his throat was cut with a sharp knife but he survived.<ref name=":2" />

In the early 2020s, most attacks on minorities were focused against Hindus.<ref>[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bangladesh  US State Dept 2022 report]</ref>

==Denominations==
===Catholic Dioceses===
There are two Catholic archdioceses and six Catholic [[diocese]]s in Bangladesh with some 400,000 Catholics. Each diocese is led by its own local bishop. Cardinal [[Patrick D'Rozario]] is the highest Catholic official.

The Archdiocese of [[Dhaka]] comprises:<ref name=":2" />
* The diocese of [[Dinajpur]]
* The diocese of [[Mymensingh]]
* The diocese of [[Rajshahi]]
* The diocese of [[Sylhet]]

The archdiocese of [[Chittagong]] comprises:<ref name=":2" />
* The diocese of [[Barisal]]
* The diocese of [[Khulna]]

The diocese of Dhaka was created in 1952 and Rev. James D. Blair was assigned as the first Bishop (Markham, Hawkins IV, Terry & Steffensen, 2013). Following Blair, the first indigenous Bishop of the Diocese of Dhaka was assigned to Rev. B.D. Mondal. By the late 1980s, it was decided that a second diocese was needed, and this was established in Kusthia in 1990; a third diocese was established in 2017.<ref>[https://www.cwmission.org/member-church-feature-church-of-bangladesh-cob/ Council For World Mission website, retrieved 2023-08-28]</ref>

===List of Protestant denominations===
* [[Assemblies of God]]
* [[ Bangladesh Evangelical Revival Church]]
* [[Bangladesh Baptist Sangha]]
* [[Bangladesh Lutheran Church]]
* [[Christian Brethren]]
* [[Church of Bangladesh]] (united church of Anglicans, Presbyterians, and others; member of the Anglican Communion)
* [[Church of God (Anderson)]]
* [[Garo Baptist Convention]]
* [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]]
* [[Church of the Nazarene]]
* [[Bangladesh Evangelical Church]]
* [[Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh]]
* [[Isa-e Church]]
* [[House Church of Bangladesh]]
* [[Bangladesh Gospel Baptist Church]]

===List of Baptist Churches===
* [[Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha]]
* [[Bangladesh Baptist Fellowship]]
* [[Garo Baptist Convention]]

===National Council of Churches in Bangladesh===
{{anchor|National Council of Churches in Bangladesh}}
The ''National Council of Churches in Bangladesh'' (or, ''Jatiya Church Parishad of Bangladesh'') is a Christian ecumenical organization founded in [[Bangladesh]] in 1949 as the ''East Pakistan Christian Council''.<ref>[http://www.ncc-b.org Official website]</ref> The organization serves as a unifying platform for Christians of various denominations, working towards solidarity, cooperation, and the well-being of the Christian community in the context of Bangladesh's diverse religious landscape. It is a member of the [[World Council of Churches]]<ref>[https://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/asia/bangladesh/nccb ''World Council of Churches : Listing'']</ref> and the [[Christian Conference of Asia]]. In 2002 it led public debate on the reform of Bangladeshi [[personal law]] applied to Christians.<ref>{{Cite journal | last=Kashyap |first=Aruna |date=2012-09-17 |title="Will I Get My Dues ... Before I Die?" |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2012/09/17/will-i-get-my-dues-i-die/harm-women-bangladeshs-discriminatory-laws-marriage |journal=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last=Pereira |first=Faustina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yvuiDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA11 |title=Revisiting Personal Laws in Bangladesh: Proposals for Reform |last2=Huda |first2=Shahnaz |last3=Hossain |first3=Sara |date=2019-03-19 |publisher=BRILL |year= |isbn=978-90-04-35727-3 |pages=11–13 |language=en}}</ref>

== Christian theological education ==
There are 16 Christian theological institutions in Bangladesh.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Anirudha Das |first=David |year=2012 |title=Bangladesh: Bangladesh |journal=The Ecumenical Review |language=en |volume=64 |issue=2 |pages=169–176 |doi=10.1111/j.1758-6623.2012.00159.x}}</ref>
* A G Bible College (Assemblies of God) was created in 1995.<ref name=":7" />
* Agape College (Baptist) was created in 2003.<ref name=":7" />
* Bangladesh Institution of Christian Theology (inter-denominational) was created in 1996.<ref name=":7" />
* Bangladesh Theological Seminary (inter-denominational) was created in 1989.<ref name=":7" />
* Center for Religious Studies (Presbyterian) was created in 2004.<ref name=":7" />
* Christian Discipleship Centre (inter-denominational) was created in 1979.<ref name=":7" />
* College of Christian Theology in Bangladesh (inter-denominational) was created in 1968.<ref name=":7" />
* Faith Bible School was created in 2002.<ref name=":7" />
* Gloria Theological Seminary (inter-denominational) was created in 1996.<ref name=":7" />
* Grace Presbyterian Theological Seminary (inter-denominational) was created in 2004.<ref name=":7" />
* Holy Spirit Major Seminary (Catholic) was created in 1973.<ref name=":7" />
* Isa-e Training Institute (Protestant) was created in 2006.<ref name=":7" />
* Methodist Theological Seminary (Methodist) was created in 1992.<ref name=":7" />
* St. Andrews Theological Seminary (Anglican) was created in 1978.<ref name=":7" />
* St. Joseph Seminary (Roman Catholic) was created in 1948.<ref name=":7" />
* The Salvation Army Officer Training College was created in 1993.<ref name=":7" />

==Christian media==
The Catholic weekly magazine, ''Pratibeshi'', was founded in 1941 as ''Ranikhong Mission Chithi'', a monthly parish bulletin. In the mid-1940s, it took its present name and moved to Dhaka.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Uttom |first1=Stephan |last2=Rozario |first2=Rock Ronald |date=5 April 2016 |title=Bangladesh's Catholic weekly turns 75 |url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/bangladeshs-catholic-weekly-turns-75/75643# |work=UCA News}}</ref> The magazine is one of the oldest [[Bengal]]i and Catholic newspapers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 April 2016|title=Weekly Pratibeshi celebrates 75 years |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/pratibeshi-celebrates-platinum-jubilee-1203034 |access-date=2022-06-02 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Corraya |first=Sumon |date=31 October 2013 |title=Bangladesh Catholic Church launches its first online weekly |url=https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Bangladesh-Catholic-Church-launches-its-first-online-weekly-29430.html |access-date=2 June 2022 |work=[[AsiaNews]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2013, ''Pratibeshi'' launched an online news site with a focus on broad news coverage.<ref name=":5" />

[[Radio Veritas Asia]] began their Bengali service in 1980. It is jointly produced in [[Dhaka]] and [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rozario |first1=Rock Ronald |date=7 December 2020 |title=Radio Veritas Asia marks 40 years of Bengali Service |work=[[UCA News]] |url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/radio-veritas-asia-marks-40-years-of-bengali-service/90521}}</ref>

== Culture adoptions ==
The Catholic community have adopted the Hindu use of the [[Sindoor|sindhur]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=De Rozario |first=Tapan |year=2011 |title=Christian Mission and Evangelization in Bangladesh |url=http://www.bangladeshsociology.org/Religion%20-%20Rozario.pdf |journal=Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology |volume=8}}</ref>

== Christian education in Bangladesh ==
*[[Notre Dame University Bangladesh]]
*[[Notre Dame College, Dhaka]]
*[[Notre Dame College, Mymensingh]]
*[[St. Joseph Higher Secondary School]]
*[[YWCA Higher Secondary Girls School]]
*[[St. Gregory's High School and College]]
*[[St. Francis Xavier's Girls' High School]]
*[[A. G. Church School]]
*[[Bangladesh Adventist Nursing College - BANC]]
*[[Holy Cross College, Dhaka]]
*[[Holy Cross Girls' High School (Dhaka)]]
*[[Saint Philip's High School and College]]
*[[Saint Placid's High School]]
*[[St. Peter International Mission School]]
*[[Bandura Holy Cross School & College]]
*[[St. Euphrasies Girls' High School And College]]
*[[St. Theclas Girls' High School]]

== Notable Bangladeshi Christians ==

===Industry===
*[[Samson Chowdhury]],<ref name="baptistworldalliance">{{cite web |author=Baptist World Alliance News |url=http://www.bwanet.org/bwa.php?m=news&p=news_item&id=546 |title=Samson Chowdhury, former BWA vice president, has died |publisher=Baptist World Alliance |accessdate=2012-01-07}}</ref> founder of [[Square Pharmaceuticals]], Bangladesh
*[[Tapan Chowdhury (businessman)|Tapan Chowdhury]],<ref name="mocabdgov">{{cite web |url=http://www.mocat.gov.bd/personnel_details.php?id=127 |title=Detail of - Hon'ble Ministers |website=Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823071657/http://www.mocat.gov.bd/personnel_details.php?id=127 |archive-date=2011-08-23}}</ref><ref name="newnation">[http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_24261.shtml Square Pharma attains 17.5 pc sales growth in 2005], The New Nation, Dec 29, 2005.</ref> Bangladesh
*[[Anjan Chowdhury]], Bangladesh

===Arts===
*[[Andrew Kishore]],<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:ছোটবেলার বড়দিনের কথা এখনো মনে হয় |trans-title=I still remember my childhood Christmas |url=http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/news/315945 |work=Prothom Alo |date=25 December 2012 |language=bn |access-date=2012-12-30 |archive-date=2020-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719061550/http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/news/315945 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bangladeshi playback singer
*[[Robin Ghosh]], Bangladeshi playback singer and film music composer
*[[Tony Dias]], Bangladeshi television actor and director
*[[Artcell|George Lincoln D'Costa]], Bangladeshi Metal Singer
*[[Andrew Biraj]], Bangladeshi photojournalist
*[[Kalyan Corraya]], Bangladeshi Actor
*[[Tony Michael Gomes]], OXFAM's Advocacy and Communications advisor
*[[D Rozario Rajib]], Freelance Graphic Designer, Teespring, USA.

===Bangladesh Army===
*[[Brigadier]] [[John Gomes (officer)|John Gomes]]

===Sports===
*[[Dulal Gomes]], Bangladesh national team basketball 
*[[Hemanta Vincent Biswas]], Bangladesh national team footballer
*[[Peter Ratan]], Bangladesh national team footballer

===Politicians===
*[[Hubert Costa]], Bangladeshi-Polish Member of Parliament
*[[Promode Mankin]],<ref name="PMO">{{cite web|title=Promode Mankin, Bangladesh's first Catholic minister, dies|url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Promode-Mankin,-Bangladesh%E2%80%99s-first-Catholic-minister,-dies-37466.html|website=asianews.it|accessdate=25 September 2016}}</ref> the First Catholic and the first member of the country's Christian community to become a government minister in Bangladesh (as a member of the [[Bangladesh Awami League]]) and formerly representing [[Mymensingh-1]] (constituency) (whom his son became his successor).
*[[Jewel Areng]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Jewel Areng|url=https://amarmp.com/mp/559/biography|access-date=14 February 2018|work=Amarmp}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Two new Mymensingh MPs take oath|url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/arcprint/details/53154/2016-07-28|access-date=14 February 2018|work=The Independent|location=Dhaka}}</ref> son of [[Promode Mankin]]. He is the youngest member of parliament (as a member of the [[Bangladesh Awami League]]) and the only Catholic, currently representing [[Mymensingh-1]] (constituency) (whose father was also his predecessor).
* [[Gloria Jharna Sarker]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-20 |title=Easter a holiday in Bangladesh this year - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2019-04/bangladesh-easter-holiday.html |access-date=2021-05-18 |website=vaticannews.va |language=en}}</ref> Bangladesh's first Christian Woman MP (2019)<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Bangladesh’s-first-Catholic-woman-MP-dedicates-her-victory-to-all-Christians-46249.html Asian News website, article by Sumon Corraya, dated February 2nd 2019]</ref>

== Professor ==
Dr. Milton Biswas, Department of Bangla, Jagannath University

===Media===
*[[Patrick D'Costa]], News Editor, MyTV
*[[Nikhil Mankhin]], Senior Reporter, The daily Janakantha
*[[Parimal Palma]], Senior Reporter, The Daily Star
*[[Dola Rozario]], Senior News Presenter, Deepto TV
*[[Rev. Bulbul Augustine Rebeiro]], Editor, The weekly Pratibeshi

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity|Bangladesh}}
*[[Christianity in India]]
*[[Christianity in the Middle East]]
*[[Christianity in Myanmar]]
*[[Religion in Bangladesh]]
*[[List of Bangladeshi Christians]]
*[[National Council of Churches in Bangladesh]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Country study}}

==Further reading==
* {{Citation |last=Luchesi |first=Brigitte |contribution=Bangladesh |year=1999 |title=Encyclopedia of Christianity |editor-last=Fahlbusch |editor-first=Erwin |volume=1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofch0001unse_t6f2/page/182 182–183] |place=Grand Rapids |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans |isbn=0802824137 |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofch0001unse_t6f2/page/182}}

{{Religion in Bangladesh}}
{{Asia in topic|Christianity in}}
{{Bangladesh topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christianity In Bangladesh}}
[[Category:Christianity in Bangladesh| ]]
[[Category:Members of the World Council of Churches]]
[[Category:Christian organizations based in Asia]]
[[Category:National councils of churches]]