Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) – They are attentive and on guard, but not paralyzed by fear. The Christians of Nepal “do not hide their concern for the recent threats and attacks suffered, however they trust in the will and capacity of Nepal's people in overcoming fundamentalism.” This is what Fr. Pius Perumana, Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Nepal, told Agenzia Fides, commenting the recent episodes lived by the Christian community in the country, who are the target for violent acts carried out by the Nepal Defense Army (NDA), a Hindu fundamentalist paramilitary group (see Fides 2/6/2009).
Fr. Pius told Fides: “We are alert and have told the faithful to be prudent and on their guard. However our work and our mission continue on. We trust in the people and authorities of Nepal. This group, NDA, seems like they are trying to launch a kind of 'holy war' against the Christians and other religious minorities in Nepal. According to some, they receive funding and support from Hindu fundamentalist groups based in India. They have followers and have managed to manipulate the minds of the people, as is the case of Sita Thapa Shrestha, the woman who placed the bomb in the Kathmandu Cathedral. She worked in a local association for protecting women and children. She must have suffered an authentic brain-washing in order to carry out such an extremely violent act.” However, the Christians trust in the desire of the people of Nepal to eliminate this fundamentalism: “All of Nepal has firmly condemned the attack on Christians and movements like NDA. The mass media has not given air time to the fundamentalists and the general public has shown their disapproval. They are outside the social fabric and want a country that no longer exists. Even the civil authorities and the police are doing all they can to stop them. We are hopeful,” the Pro-Vicar said.
Fr. Pius concluded: “The Catholic community has nearly 8,000 out of 2 million Christians in a population with a total of 29 million people. We are an esteemed minority in the country. We work in social services, education, and social promotion for many of the poor in the population. These attacks do not taint our hope and our work of evangelization, at the service of the common good of the nation.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/6/2009)
