Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kathmandu (Fides Service) - “We are all safe and sound, the Catholic community suffered neither losses nor damages but like everyone else has had enough of violence and destruction. Now the King has announced he is ready to restore power to the people through parliament but people do not believe him neither do the Opposition or the Maoist rebels. The man on the street wants democracy and a republic. We all hope peace will prevail. The country needs to experience the Resurrection” said Catholic pro-prefect Rev. Fr p. Pius Perumana in Nepal the scene of weeks popular protests against King Gyanendra.
Yesterday 24 April - after days of popular unrest violently suppressed by police and 14 people killed, the King called back parliament dissolved in 2002. “This is a people’s victory” jubilant crowds cried all through the night in Kathmandu welcoming the decision. “Everyone is overjoyed and relieved that the violence has stopped at last. The curfew is still in force but as before, no one takes any notice. Only that before it was to demonstrate anger, now it is to demonstrate joy. We hope for the best”, said Rev. Fr. Anthony Sharma Apostolic Prefect of Nepal.
However the Maoist rebels are not content. They have urged the people to continue protesting since the King refused to promote new constitution as requested and have threatened to put a blockade on the capital.
In the meantime the seven opposition parties have announced the name of the new prime minister elderly Girija Prasad Koirala (of the Nepalese Congress Party) a former Premier imprisoned for a brief period last year.
Protests planned for today 25 April turned into a victory parade with hundreds of thousands of citizens in the streets of Kathmandu cheering for the King’s decision which they see as a step towards the restoration of democracy.
Fr Pius says: “The Church is not for any party or ideology. As the local Church leaders we were not present at the protests. However the apostolic prefect Rev. Fr Sharma did issue a letter calling parishes and church associations to hold a daily special hour of Eucharistic Adoration to pray that peace may return to Nepal. Like all schools and other structures because of the violence Catholic institutions remained closed. When social peace is restored it will be necessary to deal with a very difficult economic situation. With basic necessities at sky high prices people find it difficult to make ends meet. If the country is to recover a lasting political solution for the good of the whole country must be found”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/4/2006 righe 32 parole 321)
