Patrick D’Rozario

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Stored: Patrick D’Rozario

His Eminence Patrick D’Rozario
Bishop of
Home diocese: Diocese of Chittagong
Other diocese 1: Diocese of Rajshahi
Other diocese 2: Archdiocese of Dhaka
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 21 December 1972 by Bishop Theotonius Ganguly
Consecration: 12 September 1990 by Archbishop Arturo Rivera Damas
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 19 November 2016 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Patrick D’Rozario
(1943-10-01) October 1, 1943 (age 82)
Padrishibpur, Barisal, Bangladesh
Died:
Nationality: Bangladeshi
Education: Pontifical Urban University
Motto: Joy in Communion
Role: Emeritus
Theology: Moderate
Region: Asia
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Ineligible


Patrick D’Rozario, born (1943-10-01) October 1, 1943 (age 82), is a Bangladeshi Catholic cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus of Dhaka, serving from 2011 to 2020. A member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, he was ordained a priest in 1972 and became Bangladesh’s first cardinal in 2016, appointed by Pope Francis. Known for promoting interfaith dialogue and social justice within the Roman Rite, he strengthened the Church in a Muslim-majority nation.[1][2][3]

Born in Padrishibpur, Barisal, D’Rozario was inspired by the Saint Francis Xavier, patron of missionaries. In 2025, at age 81, he was ineligible for the papal conclave due to the age limit, but his legacy as a pioneer for Bangladeshi Catholics endures, with reflections on synodality shaping Church dialogue. His leadership in education and poverty alleviation earned him national recognition.[4][5]

Biography

Birth and early life

Patrick D’Rozario was born on (1943-10-01) October 1, 1943 (age 82) in Padrishibpur, Barisal, Bangladesh, to Joachim D’Rozario and Marianne Gomes, in a devout Catholic family.[1][2] Inspired by Francis Xavier’s missionary zeal, he joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1962, making his final vows in 1969.[1][6]

Raised in a rural, multi-religious community, D’Rozario developed a commitment to interfaith harmony, later evident in his episcopal ministry. His early education at St. Joseph’s High School, Dhaka, fostered his vocational call.[2][7]

Education

D’Rozario earned a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College, Dhaka, and studied philosophy and theology at Christ the King Seminary, Karachi, Pakistan.[1] He obtained a licentiate in moral theology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome in 1980.[2][6] His studies emphasized pastoral care and social ethics, influenced by Vatican II.[7]

His Roman and Pakistani training prepared him for leadership in a diverse region. He mastered Bengali, English, and Urdu, aiding his ministry in Bangladesh.[2]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 21 December 1972 by Bishop Theotonius Ganguly for the Diocese of Chittagong, D’Rozario served as assistant pastor in Bandarban and Thanchi, then as rector of Dhaka’s minor seminary (1973–1976).[1][3] He was provincial superior of the Holy Cross in Bangladesh (1981–1985) and director of Caritas Bangladesh (1985–1990).[2][7]

His priesthood focused on education, youth formation, and social development. His work with indigenous communities and the poor strengthened the Church’s presence in Bangladesh.[6][5]

Bishop

Appointed Bishop of Rajshahi on 21 May 1990 by Pope John Paul II, D’Rozario was consecrated on 12 September 1990 by Archbishop Arturo Rivera Damas.[1][3] He became Bishop of Chittagong on 3 February 1995 and Archbishop of Dhaka on 22 October 2011, retiring on 30 September 2020.[1][2] Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Patrizio on 19 November 2016 by Pope Francis, he was Bangladesh’s first cardinal.[2][6]

D’Rozario served as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (2011–2020) and promoted interfaith dialogue, notably after the 2016 Dhaka attack.[1][5] In 2025, at age 81, he was ineligible for the conclave but continued influencing Church dialogue through synodality reflections.[4][5] His initiatives in education and poverty alleviation earned him the Ekushey Padak in 2020.[1]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Rajshahi Bishop 21 May 1990 3 February 1995 Appointed by Pope John Paul II
Chittagong Bishop 3 February 1995 22 October 2011 Appointed by Pope John Paul II
Dhaka Archbishop 22 October 2011 30 September 2020 Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI; retired
San Patrizio Cardinal-Priest 19 November 2016 Present Appointed by Pope Francis

Significant events

  • Joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1962, making final vows in 1969.[1]
  • Ordained priest for the Diocese of Chittagong by Bishop Theotonius Ganguly on 21 December 1972.[1]
  • Appointed provincial superior of the Holy Cross in Bangladesh in 1981, serving until 1985.[2]
  • Appointed Bishop of Rajshahi on 21 May 1990, consecrated on 12 September 1990.[3]
  • Appointed Bishop of Chittagong on 3 February 1995.[1]
  • Appointed Archbishop of Dhaka on 22 October 2011.[1]
  • Created cardinal-priest of San Patrizio by Pope Francis on 19 November 2016, becoming Bangladesh’s first cardinal.[2]
  • Elected President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh in 2011, serving until 2020.[1]
  • Led interfaith dialogue initiatives following the 2016 Dhaka attack.[5]
  • Awarded the Ekushey Padak for social service by the Government of Bangladesh on 20 February 2020.[1]
  • Retired as Archbishop of Dhaka on 30 September 2020.[1]
  • Reflected on synodality at the Asian bishops’ meeting in February 2025.[5]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books specifically dedicated to Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

  • No known books authored by Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario have been identified as of May 2025.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 "Patrick D’Rozario". 2024-11-10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_D%27Rozario. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "D’ROZARIO Card. Patrick, C.S.C.". 2016-11-19. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_drozario.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Patrick Cardinal D’Rozario". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bdroz.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Cardinal D’Rozario reflects on synodality at Asian bishops’ meet". 2025-02-15. https://www.ucanews.com/news/cardinal-drozario-reflects-on-synodality-at-asian-bishops-meet/104512. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Dhaka, the first cardinal in the history of Bangladesh". 2016-10-10. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Dhaka,-the-first-cardinal-in-the-history-of-Bangladesh-38982.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, CSC". https://www.holycrosscongregation.org/our-people/cardinal-patrick-drozario. 
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