Request For Immediate Solution To Leadership Struggle in The Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd., Dhaka

Father Charles J. Young, C.S.C. -- founder of
The Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd., Dhaka

Image courtesy: The Daily Star, Dhaka

The Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (CCCUL) of Dhaka, once a beacon of hope and a shining example of success in alleviating financial constraints of Christians – both Catholics and Protestants – is now mired in controversy and division among its members, numbering about 40,000.

Having its influence and clout all over Bangladesh and South Asia, it has drawn international attention regarding its controversial election, on January 25, 2017, of its Governing Board members. The disgruntled opposition group is said to have uploaded a documentary video later in the Facebook accusing the board members of “corruption and abusing power.” The Credit Union Secretary said that the documentary is a part of “smear campaign to spread false and misleading information to defame the organization.” On a complaint on the part of the elected board members, police arrested five persons under the Information and Communication Technology Act of 2006. For details, kindly read the Sept. 12, 2018 report here: Catholics arrested for 'defaming' Bangladeshi cooperative. The arrested persons are still in jail. In addition, the same credit union election also gave rise to a serious division among members of another organization, Bangladesh Christian Association, which got bifurcated.  

Many of the Dhaka-based Bangladeshi Catholics abroad are sad to learn of this unexpected outcome from an election and they are wondering what is happening in Dhaka. They are hopeful that, both the parties involved in this controversy and struggle, come to their senses as Christians and reach a solution on give-and-take basis. The power-struggle and infights among Christians give a wrong picture of the teaching of Jesus Christ. They also hope that Pope Francis’ call for brotherhood, mercy, and forgiveness in the Catholic Church will find its way in The Christian Cooperative Credit Union, Ltd., too. They also plead that both the Catholic and Protestant church leaders play a decisive and vital role in the solution of this problem and bring about the fraternal peace and love among the credit union members.

Mr. Isaac Gomes is an Associate Editor with the Church Citizens' Voice website, published from Kerala, India. Based in Kolkata, Mr. Gomes made the following comments recently in the UCANews website report, mentioned above, on the controversial election and subsequent sad outturn of Dhaka’s credit union:

“As a Catholic, I feel proud of the achievements of CCCUL. However, the ongoing infighting in the Dhaka-based Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (CCCUL) is very sad and a poor reflection on the Laity of Bangladesh. Christians preach and practise settlement of grievances through dialogue instead of fisticuff and court cases. Even if CCCUL has filed a case, why should it put its own Christian brothers behind bars? For more than a month, they have been languishing in jail, with their family members running from pillar to post for their release. This is unheard of. Is too much money the cause of extreme arrogance on the part of CCCUL governing board? I plead the office bearers of CCCUL to eschew their egos, show compassion to their fellow brothers and see to it that they are released. Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario and Father Albert T. Rozario, convener of the Justice and Peace Commission in Dhaka Archdiocese, instead of sitting on the matter, must be proactive to bring peace and reconciliation among the vibrant 1% Christian Community of Bangladesh. May CCCUL go from strength to strength by fostering unity among Christians through transparency and accountability in its operations.” (To learn something about the Church Citizens' Voice website, click here). 

To learn more about the myriad of activities of the CCCUL, please click on the following: The Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd., Dhaka