"But in the defense of Catholics, the defense of minorities, he wants to speak to the whole society because the way of peace is the most fruitful for everyone," he emphasized.
Cervellera also stressed that the Catholics in these areas, though a tiny minority, also have a very important mission in their contribution to development. Because of the Church "there are hospitals, shelters, clinics for the poor, schools, professional schools, colleges, work cooperatives," he said.
"The Church is a help to the society, to evolve, to mature."
He also said that he has been to both Bangladesh and Burma and can say that they are "very enthusiastic communities in their faith." Their faith is "what gives meaning to their life, what gives it color and dignity," he said.
Though they sometimes face persecution and oppression because of their minority status, this seems to only strengthen their catholicity, he pointed out, finding consolation in having a larger, universal identity to which they also belong.
Though the Catholics in these two countries are among the poorest, living in huts and sleeping on dirt floors, "they are joyous," he said, and they wish to share the faith with others.
"I think that we can learn from them, this enthusiasm. And maybe we can support them in some way. Because their mission is also ours," he pointed out.
Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency's senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.