Bangladeshis look to having their own saint
While the official canonization process takes a long time, locals are already attributing miracles to 'Saint Ganguly'.
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He was the first local priest to be ordained a bishop and the first Bengali archbishop of Dhaka.
Archbishop Ganguly, who died of a heart attack at the age of 57, was declared a "Servant of God" in 2006, the start of a process that may end in him being a saint.
"To me Archbishop Ganguly is already a saint," said Gomes, a retired banker who attends St. Mary's Cathedral Church in Dhaka. "I have yet to come across another person like him. I was blessed to meet him during his lifetime and I have prayed to him since his death."
In 1991, Gomes went on a family trip to Kolkata in India, where he was struck with serious chest pain and was admitted to hospital.
"Doctors told me to have surgery to replace two heart valve rings but I was unable to afford it," Gomes said. "I came back home psychologically broken so I visited Archbishop Ganguly's grave to pray to him."
Gomes also started keeping a pinch of soil from the prelate's grave and leaves from nearby trees in his pocket.
In 2004, Gomes returned to the Kolkata hospital. "My doctor told me there is no medical explanation for how my heart condition could have improved especially given that I am also a diabetic," said Gomes. "They found it miraculous and I believe it was the result of my prayers to 'Saint Ganguly.'"
In 2005, Gomes's mother, who also regarded the prelate as a saint, lost the sight in both her eyes. She was taken to the country's top specialists but doctors told her that her sight was gone due to a hemorrhage that had dried up her optical nerve.
"We were told there was no chance to get her sight back even with surgery," said Gomes. "Yet my mother continued praying to Archbishop Ganguly and went for surgery despite the doctors' reluctance. Two months later she can read books again."
Like Gomes and his mother, many other people claim to have received miraculous cures and answered prayers due to Archbishop Ganguly.
Thirty-nine years after his death he remains widely popular and respected. On the anniversary of his passing on Sept. 2 thousands of Christians and non-Christians throng his grave to pay tribute with prayers and flowers.
A man with a big heart for all
In addition to his uncommon spirituality and pastoral care, Archbishop Ganguly had a big, open heart for all people, said Father Theotonius Proshanto Rebeiro, a member of the Historical Commission for the Cause of the Canonization of Archbishop Ganguly.
"His love for people was outstanding," said Father Rebeiro. "He never maintained a protocol system and anyone could see and talk to him anytime. He made frequent pastoral visits to see people in rural areas, talked to them and listened to their problems."
Archbishop Ganguly was highly educated. He was the first Bengali Christian to obtain a doctorate degree and also the first Bengali principal of Notre Dame College in Dhaka, a renowned church-run institute.
Yet, his life was a model of humility, said Father Rebeiro. "He had an extraordinary sweetness in his behavior which I have not seen in a bishop since."
His residence, clothing and personal belongings were as modest as possible. He ate simple meals. He used an old car and always traveled in second and third class train compartments, the priest said.
The late archbishop also played an important role during the Bangladesh War of Independence from Pakistan in 1971.
"He called on all churches and Catholic education institutes to offer shelter and support to refugees. He used to make long trips to refugee camps, which were dangerous. He also inspired Christians to fight for their homeland," said Father Joyanto S. Gomes, secretary of Catholic Bishops' Social Communication Commission.
"His spirituality and humanism inspired the same qualities in the people he met," Father Gomes continued. "He was a rare combination of intelligence and simplicity, not often visible among top religious leaders."
Outstanding contributions for the local Church
After the 1971 war, the prelate played a pivotal role in founding Caritas Bangladesh, the Catholic social and humanitarian agency. He also emphasized the need for higher education and the training among local clergy.
In 1973, he started sending priests abroad for higher education. In 1975, he laid the foundation of country's only major seminary in Dhaka, according to Father Rebeiro, a professor of Canon Law at Holy Spirit National Major Seminary.
"One of his dreams was to have more women involved in church activities," he said. "So he inspired local women to enter religious congregations like the Associates of Mary Queen of Apostles. He also started sending local Bengali priests to take charge of various parishes to bring a local flavor to church ministries."
He also encouraged young Catholics to take up leadership roles in their communities. It paved the way for the formation of various Catholic youth organizations and movements.
Delayed canonization process
Within a month after his death, the country's national Catholic weekly Pratibeshi (neighbor), in an editorial, proposed the local Church start the canonization process. However, the cause didn't formally begin until 2006.
"There was delay and dillydallying," said Father Gomes, the current editor of Pratibeshi. "We can pray and hope Archbishop Ganguly will become saint one day."
Father Rebeiro says that three bodies are working towards the archbishop's canonization even though witnesses have died and records have been lost.
"The Historical Commission is collecting and analyzing various documents," he said. "The Theological Commission is looking into his holiness and purity and the Diocesan Tribunal is interviewing people. Findings will be sent to Rome and it will take time. We have to think about alternative ways to speed up the process."
In the meantime, for Henry John Gomes, Archbishop Ganguly is already a saint.
"I would love to see him declared a saint in my lifetime," he said. "No matter when the official announcement comes. I will always call him 'Saint Ganguly.'"
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