by Kalpit Parajuli

Some 80 Nepali Catholic leaders meet at a location south of the capital to discuss the importance of bearing witness and engaging in dialogue in the country’s new political context.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – A shared vision of Nepal’s future, bearing witness to Christ, engaging other faiths and cultures in dialogue and ensuring the fullness and understanding of everyone’s life were the main issues discussed at a meeting of Nepali Catholic leaders held in on November 27 IN Godavar, south of Kathmandu.

Some 80 people, including priests and nuns representing 22 religious congregations as well laity participating on behalf of the country’s six parishes, attended the event.

“The last time Nepali Catholics met was 24 years ago. Since then many things have happened but the most important one is that the Vatican made Nepal a separate region with its own superior,” Mgr Anthony Sharma, apostolic prefect to Nepal, said in his opening speech. “I have always tried to follow the Jesuit tradition and move where we are invited by locals. Now that the political situation has changed we can plan for our faithful”.

The prelate was referring to the transfer of power from the king to civilians and the cease-fire between the new democratic government and Maoist rebels who had been fighting royal hegemony for many years.

“My vision for Nepal is to see crosses planted on hilltops to bring about fullness and understanding in the lives of the people,” he further said.

“Preaching has to be done in the context of dialogue with people of other cultures and faiths. . . . [But] we must bear witness to how a Christian can be both Christian and Nepali,” said Jesuit Father John Locke, who is a naturalised Nepalese citizen.

At the end of the meeting a pastoral statement was released titled “Rooted in Christ, fully human and vibrant towards fullness of life for all people of Nepal”.

• nepal
• catholics
• meeting
• godavar
• pastoral
• plan