Archbishop Theotonius A. Ganguly

Archbishop Ganguly had his unique way of transforming power of Christian love in a very poor country full of chaos and heat of our battle for independence. To most of us Archbishop Ganguly is consistently remembered as a quiet man of gentle presence and few words. As the first Bangali clergy doctorate, he could talk to us on theology and philosophy all day long, but he never did that except whenever he was teaching his class at the Notre Dame College. Nevertheless his example in life and actions spoke for themselves.

I remember Archbishop Ganguly in the days of our Liberation War when he was trying frantically to pass letters and money from Bangali workers in West Pakistan, specially from Karachi to their families in our remote villages of Dohar and Nawabganj Thanas, to sustain their livelihood and help their children to continue studies. At the risk of his life he wanted to give our distressed people protection and consolation in our battered country where death was everywhere. He did the miracle and a new channel was opened to communicate between their families and the workers in Pakistan and send money via London. I was with him helping in small way and reminding him each day not to take this risk as the general post office, would ultimately find out and he would be picked-up by Pakistani army. He just remained silent and I knew his silence was speaking to me loud and clear at his second floor office in Archbishop's House. As Mukti Juddha escalated conflicts throughout our country, the Archbishop took courageous and prudent actions to assist the freedom movement. He instructed all Christian hospitals and clinics to render loving care and proper treatment to our freedom fighters and our people.

Many Christian hospitals and clinics treated wounded freedom fighters throughout the border areas of Mymensingh, Jessore, Khulna, Sylhet, Rangpur, Dinajpur and Chittagong. In this noble service three Christian fathers and one sister was brutally killed by the occupying Pakistani army. He allowed and requested Parish Priest of Bhoberpara Catholic Church, Fr. Francis Gomes, now retired Bishop of Mymensingh, to set up all logistics to the formation of Shadhin Bangla Sarkar in Baidyanathpur, Kushitia, which was renamed Mujibnagar. The first cabinet of Bangladesh was set up at the church compound and the Independence Document of our motherland was signed on the dining table of the priest-in charge, Rev. Fr. Francis Gomes. His timely actions and the vision of Bangladesh shone as the beacon of light and hope to all Bangalees.

I left for Melaghar Mukti Bahani camp in Agortalla in the month of May and before my departure I saw Archbishop Ganguly, he just asked me, "Do you realize that you are taking a most dangerous path?" I did keep silent, and then he softly said, "It is the most effective and glorious path to liberate our occupied country." He then put his hand on my head and just said, "God be with you, wherever you are posted." I felt strength in my soul and with that overwhelming love of Christ he bade me farewell. Guess what? In the course of the Liberation war, I met the present Editor of The Daily Star, my school friend Mahfuz Anam, in Kalyani camp, near Benapole border, where we were being brushed-up again and again for a special assignment, every day, by a great freedom fighter and officer, Major Manzur, later Lt. Gen. Manzur.

I had the privilege to work for the formation of "Trebeni Chatra Kalyan Sangha," "Suhrid Sangha," during my student days in Dhaka University. Many a time when I was overburdened with problems to organise our youth, I came to the Archbishop, told him about our shortcomings and difficult problems, and he put himself under our burdens. The fact is he always wanted to be with the youth in the field, in the difficult situations when nobody came forward to help them in our motherland.

Archbishop Ganguly worked hard during the Liberation war in extreme conditions. He traveled from village to village and spoke to our people. He spoke of hope and his homilies were simple and direct. He never cared for his comfort in order to share in the sufferings of our people in the hands of Pakistani soldiers. Till his death, he was always willing to take on the burden of the common people and tried to share their sufferings and anxieties.

Whenever I heard him speak, I had a feeling of peace, if I was worried and anxious, he took my fears and burdens, and in return he gave me the comfort of God. We were so honoured to have Archbishop Theotonius A. Ganguly as the head of our church in Bangladesh and to have him around us. For that we are forever grateful to God.