The Materialist Mirage: Dissecting the Cult of Economic Salvation in Bangladesh
The Catholic News Agency portal (November 18, 2025) reports on commemorations for American missionary Charles Joseph Young (1904-1988), founder of the “Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd.” in Bangladesh. The article frames Young as an economic liberator who transformed Bangladesh’s “Christian community” through microcredit initiatives, growing a cooperative from 50 members to 46,000 with $122.6 million capital. Testimonials from beneficiaries like Shukli Kubi and Swadhin Mandal credit Young’s system for their business success. The piece culminates with calls for Young’s canonization from figures such as Babu Markus Gomes and “Father” Hubert Liton Gomes, who claim his “immortal contribution to humanity” warrants sainthood.






