Christians in Bangladesh have marked the 25th anniversary of one of the deadliest attacks ever carried out against the country's Christian minority, renewing appeals for justice while remembering those who lost their lives.
A special memorial service was held on 3 June at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Baniarchar, located in Gopalganj district. Parishioners gathered for Mass before visiting the graves of the victims, where they offered flowers and lit candles in remembrance.
Father David Gharami, parish priest of the church, said the anniversary was both a time of prayer and reflection for the community.
He explained that church members continue to remember those who died in the attack while promoting a message of peace, mutual respect and reconciliation. He stressed that Christians reject violence and extremism and seek to live in harmony with people of all backgrounds.
The church bombing took place on 3 June 2001 during a Sunday worship service. An explosive device detonated inside the crowded church, killing 10 worshippers and injuring around 50 others. Many of the victims were young members of the congregation.
The attack was later linked to the banned militant group Harkat-ul-Jihad (HuJI), which was active during a period when extremist violence was increasing across Bangladesh. At the time, several militant organisations carried out attacks against religious minorities, cultural groups, public institutions and other targets.
Despite the passing of 25 years, many Christians say justice remains elusive. Investigations into the bombing have faced repeated delays, and no final resolution has been reached.
Among those remembered during the anniversary was Rodrix Jetra, who was 19 years old when he was killed in the explosion.
His younger brother, Royal Jetra, said the loss transformed the family's future. Following the death of their father, Rodrix had taken responsibility for supporting the household. His death left relatives facing significant hardship.
Today, Royal joins other parish volunteers in caring for the graves of those who died in the attack. He said his greatest hope is that communities everywhere will be spared similar tragedies in the future.
Christian leaders across Bangladesh also used the anniversary to highlight the long wait for justice.
The Bangladesh Christian Association, which represents believers from different denominations, issued a statement expressing disappointment that the case remains unresolved after a quarter of a century.
Association leaders noted that Christians have organised public events, prayer gatherings and awareness campaigns over the years to keep attention on the case. However, they said their calls for a thorough investigation have yet to produce the outcome many families were hoping for.
Local residents say the impact of the bombing is still felt today. Many of those who died were young men who provided financial support for their families. Their deaths left relatives facing years of economic struggle and uncertainty.
Some families continue to rely on farming and casual employment to make ends meet, while survivors carry emotional wounds from the attack.
Community members say the lengthy delays in the legal process have weakened confidence that those responsible will ever be fully held accountable.
Father Mimmo Pietanza, an Italian missionary who was serving in the parish at the time of the bombing, also reflected on the tragedy. He described the attack as one of the most painful experiences of his ministry and recalled years of efforts to encourage authorities to pursue justice for the victims and their families.
As Christians gathered to remember the victims, many expressed hope that the lessons of the tragedy would inspire greater commitment to religious harmony, peace and protection for vulnerable communities across Bangladesh.
Adapted and rewritten from reporting by UCA News.
