Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic community in Nepal is concerned after the Maoists left the government. There is fear of more instability and chaos. The fact that the convocation of another constituent assembly has been postponed indefinitely and this aggravates the political crisis. Many observers fear the season of relative peace inaugurated in November 2006 when the Maoists signed an agreement to end ten years of civil war, is over. Mgr Anthony Sharma, Vicar Apostolic of Nepal, recently expressed his concern saying that the local Catholic Church continues to pray fervently and to promote a return to peace and prosperity.
Catholics have always defended human dignity and rights, siding with the innocent civilians, continued their activity in the field of assistance and education even in times of difficulty.
Nepalese political leaders and society seemed to be oriented towards a change from a monarchy to a federation. The Maoists are in favour of this solution and so are the main political parties. In this context the situation is still delicate and unstable and could precipitate if the Maoists take up arms again as they have threatened. On 30 September thousands of Maoist supporters demonstrated in the streets of Kathmandu calling for the abolition of the monarchy and the installation of democracy in Nepal.
The present political crisis, provoked by the Maoist movement leaving the coalition government, threatens to open new scenes of war and violence which religious leaders, human rights activists and international observers say must be avoided at all costs, given the negative repercussions in the life of the people. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2007 righe 28 parole 289)
