Bangladesh – Guatapé – Bangladesh
Since my return to Bangladesh was announced, many people have repeatedly asked me: "Why did you get tired of Guatapé so quickly?" I would like to take this opportunity to answer that question.
To understand my decision, it is important to know the background.
The Diocese of Sonsón–Rionegro, which comprises 21 municipalities in Eastern Antioquia and 75 parishes, has been blessed with an abundance of priestly vocations. Today, it has nearly 600 priests. For this reason, our Bishop sends some of us to serve in other dioceses throughout Colombia and around the world, helping to alleviate the shortage of priests in places where they are most needed.
In 1999, the Diocese established an agreement with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) to send priests to Asia for fixed missionary terms. The first group, consisting of three priests served from 2000 to 2005. A second group remained there from 2006 to 2011. Later, in 2013, Fr. Danilo Gómez and I volunteered to continue this missionary commitment for a period of eight years.
When that period ended in 2021, no priests were available to replace us. Consequently, although Fr. Danilo returned to Colombia, I chose to remain in Bangladesh for four additional years. After completing that extended period, I returned to my Diocese. However, since there were still no volunteers to continue this mission, I once again placed myself at the disposal of my Bishop to return to missionary territory. Fortunately, this time Fr. Danilo and another brother priest have also answered the call, and the three of us will be leaving together.
Seen in this light, my decision to return to Asia—even after spending such a short time in Guatapé—becomes easier to understand. It is not because I was unhappy there; quite the opposite. I simply wish to serve where my presence is most urgently needed.
In Bangladesh, Catholics make up less than 0.5% of the population in a predominantly Muslim country. The shortage of priests is severe, and vast communities depend on very few pastors to celebrate the sacraments and accompany them in their faith. While here we are blessed with many priests, the reality in much of Asia is exactly the opposite. In conscience, I feel called to go where the Church needs me most.
Although it is difficult to leave my family and, from a purely human perspective, I would naturally prefer the comfort of remaining here, I am driven by God's call to help build the Church on the frontiers of mission and to live my priestly vocation more fully. And this is the life I have freely chosen.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank my fellow priests and the entire parish community of Guatapé, who welcomed me during these months with extraordinary affection, generosity, and faith. You will always remain in my prayers, and I humbly ask you to remember me in yours.
Fr. Belisario de Jesús Ciro Montoya
