Bangladesh

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) began work in Bangladesh in 1974. It works through mission personnel and a partnership with the Church of Bangladesh, a partnership formed in 1991. The PC(USA) provides financial support for Christian Mission Hospital in Rajshahi, and mission personnel are active in community and church development.

Christians make up less than one-half of 1 percent of the population of Bangladesh, which is a majority Muslim country and often suffer from discrimination in the Muslim-dominated government. In the educational system and business sectors also, many Christians are from non-Bengali tribal backgrounds (Bengali is the major ethnic group in the country, comprising 90 percent of the population) and suffer from ethnic discrimination as well. Although small, the Christian community in Bangladesh suffers from divisions. Fundamentalist Christian theologies also contribute to divisions.

The Church of Bangladesh focuses on supporting parish life and nurturing ecumenical relations. In October 2004 it rejoined the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh after a split that had lasted 20 years.

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 89

March 28

Related Stories

December 5, 2007 PDA Situation Reports
November 21, 2007 Churches rush aid to Bangladesh cyclone victims; PC(USA) commits $50,000 to relief efforts
November 20, 2007 PDA Situation Report: Bangladesh Cyclone Sidr
January 30, 2007 Minute for Mission: Christian Mission Hospital, Rajshahi, Reaches Out in Love

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