Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) - “The small Catholic community of Nepal is really shocked and saddened at this violent attack on the peace-loving and non-violent community. What surprises all is that it was done without any provocation and also warning. The idea behind the attack seems to be to create communal tension and more chaos in this already chaotic situation in the country.” This is what Fr. Pius Perumana, Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Nepal, told Fides in commenting on this event that has taken place in the community.
On Saturday 23rd May during the Holy Mass, there was a bomb blast inside the Assumption Cathedral. Several people were injured in the blast and two people have already lost their lives so far. Among the injured 2 remain very critical and another two serious and other 9 admitted in different hospitals are out of danger.
The dead are Joseph Celesty, a high school student of St. Mary’s School and Deepa Patrick a recently married young lady from Bihar who was visiting her relatives with her husband in Kathmandu.
As Fr. Pius comments, “the blast was so powerful that it blew off the reinforced glass roof 15 meters above and threw up many of the worshipers off the ground.”
Fr. Pius tells of the dramatic moments following the attack: “The blast was so loud that it was heard even quiet far away and the priest celebrating the Mass about 40 feet away from the site of the blast was thrown up. There was total confusion for some time as it took people time to realize what was happening. People could see smoke and fire and many people on fire and some running away to safety. Immediately people were evacuated and the injured rushed to Patan hospital and Alka hospital in the area. The police were on site in a short time and they did cordon off the area and a thorough search of the Church and the compound was done with the help of dogs and bomb disposal squad. Within the Church there were blood stains everywhere and also burnt clothes and foot wares and other items were strewn all over. There were nails thrown all over the Church from the blast.”
According to the eye witnesses report the Mass began as usual and people were still coming inside the Church and over 300 people were already present inside. A woman entered with two bags, and ask one of the faithful to “please take care of this for a moment,” and left. According to the police, it was a pressure cooker bomb hidden inside the hand bag and the second bag contained pamphlets of Nepal Defense Army (NDA), the same as those that were thrown in the room of Fr. John Prakash SDB, who was murdered by the same group nearly a year ago.
Fr. Pius affirms: “The Catholic community has decided to organize a prayer meeting on Sunday [yesterday] afternoon to pray for the dead and the injured and also to pray for peace in this nation. Also all the Catholic educational institutions in the country will be closed for a day on 25th Monday...In the meantime we request all of you to keep praying for all of us and the Nepal Church,” Fr. Pius concluded.
The Catholic Church in Nepal has nearly 7,000 members and is growing at a rate of nearly 300 baptized per year. There are 6 male religious orders and 17 female religious orders, for a total of 65 priests and 155 sisters. The Church runs 27 schools in the country, 6 of which are in the capital (Kathmandu), and 21 in rural and mountainous villages, offering education to 17,000 students, 9,000 of which are girls. The Church in Nepal is also working in various social services, for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Her work is especially appreciated by the local people. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/5/2009)
