Fr. Leonard Shankar Rosario, CSC, Registrar of Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) and a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, passed away on Saturday morning (June 21, 2025) at St. John Mary Vianney Hospital in Dhaka after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 58.
Fr. Shankar had long been engaged in religious, educational, and humanitarian work, both at home and abroad. His passing has cast a deep shadow of grief across the Christian community, Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB), and among his fellow clergy and colleagues.
According to family sources, Fr. Shankar first traveled to Bangkok in June 2024 for medical examinations. There, doctors diagnosed him with cancer and recommended urgent surgery. However, as the disease had already spread to other parts of his body, he was advised to return home for continued care.
Upon returning to Bangladesh, he received treatment at Square Hospital in Dhaka. In early 2025, he was transferred to Chennai for advanced treatment. After his condition deteriorated, he was brought back to Dhaka and admitted once again to Square Hospital. As his health declined further and doctors lost hope, he was moved to St. John Mary Vianney Hospital for end-of-life palliative care.
Fr. Shankar, born on February 11, 1967, was ordained as a priest in 1997. Over the years, he held various academic and leadership positions at Notre Dame College, Christo Darshan Seminary, and Notre Dame University Bangladesh. He pursued his higher education at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, United States, and later at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. He served in numerous significant roles throughout his career, both nationally and internationally.
At the time of his passing, Fr. Shankar was serving as the Registrar of Notre Dame University Bangladesh as well as the Chairman of its Department of English.
On Sunday (June 22), his body was brought to the NDUB campus for the university community and the general public to pay their respects. The university authority organized a memorial ceremony, Eucharistic celebration, and a life-sharing session in memory of Fr. Shankar.
In a condolence message, the participants stated, “Fr. Shankar was a beacon of humanity and spiritual wisdom. His passing is an irreparable loss. However, his values and ideals will remain a guiding light for us.” At that time, faculty, students, staff, and fellow clergy offered prayers for the eternal peace of his soul.
Earlier, on Saturday (June 21) afternoon, his body was taken to the Scholasticate in Rampura, where a Holy Eucharist was held at 4:30 pm.
Final funeral rites were held on Monday (June 23), beginning with a prayer service at 11:00 am at Rangamatia Catholic Church, followed by burial at the Holy Cross Pastoral and Retreat Center in Bhadon at 3:00 pm.
