Dhaka Catholics plan silent march Nov 18 after cathedral & school bomb attacks. Bishop calls for peace, rejects violence as Hasina sentenced to death.
Newsroom (17/11/2025 Gaudium Press ) Catholic communities in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka will stage a silent march and sit-in for peace in the city center on Monday, November 18, in response to a series of bomb attacks targeting churches and schools over the past month.
Auxiliary Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes of the Archdiocese of Dhaka told Fides News Agency the demonstration aims to “denounce the intimidation we have suffered” and affirm the Christian minority’s commitment to “build an inclusive country that respects the dignity of all cultures, ethnicities, and religions, rejecting all forms of fundamentalism and violence.”
The peaceful protest comes against a backdrop of heightened political uncertainty following Sunday’s in-absentia death sentence handed down to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for ordering deadly crackdowns on 2024 student protests that left around 1,400 people dead.
Recent attacks began on October 8 when a bomb was thrown at the historic Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the oldest in Dhaka. On November 7, two improvised explosive devices detonated in quick succession: one outside the gate of St. Mary’s Cathedral compound and another near St. Joseph’s Catholic School. No injuries were reported in any of the incidents, and no group has claimed responsibility.
“These acts have attempted to intimidate us and cast a shadow over coexistence,” Bishop Gomes said. “There is fear among the people, but we have told the faithful: ‘Do not be afraid.’ We remain steadfast in faith.”
Despite the threats, Masses and classes have continued without interruption.
The bishop confirmed that church leaders have briefed civil authorities, who have authorized investigations. “The interim government is struggling to control the situation,” he noted, describing a “phase of uncertainty and social tension” as the country heads toward elections expected in early 2026.
Hasina’s Awami League has been barred from participating by the Electoral Commission, while student groups that spearheaded last year’s uprising retain strong public support. At the same time, radical Islamist parties have reportedly regained influence, adding to the fluid political landscape.
“We tell our faithful to be vigilant and prudent, and to safeguard faith, hope, and charity,” Bishop Gomes said. “We continue our life and our mission, bearing witness to Christ in our country.”
Monday’s march will gather parishioners from across Dhaka to call on authorities and the wider public to protect minority rights and reject violence in the delicate transition period ahead.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
Related Images:
