Year of faith, an opportunity of conversion for all Nepalis
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - On 11 October, the Nepali Church launched the Year of Faith proclaimed by Benedict XVI. Hundreds of people, including many non-Christians, took part in a Mass conducted by Fr Robin Rai, priest of the Church of the Assumption in Kathmandu. In his homily, Father Rai called on the members of Nepal's small Catholic community "to renew and boost their faith in God through prayers and the teachings of the Catholic Church."
During the ceremony, Catholics and non-Catholics recited together the invocation for the celebration of the Year of Faith translated into Nepalese.
For the occasion, the Nepali Church had hundreds of leaflets printed, explaining to non-Christians the importance of the Year of Faith.
"Nepal," said one, "is in a momentous phase of transition from a confessional to a secular state." Yet, people are still very religious and respectful of the sacred, curious about the pope's proposal.
In recent years, many Hindus, especially from the lower castes, have shown interest in Christianity, including Catholicism. For this reason, Catholics must live this year as an opportunity to deepen their faith in God and the Church, Fr Rai said, bearing witness before non-Christians who approach Christ on their own.
Since the fall of the Hindu monarchy in 2006 and the establishment of a state, Nepali Christians have enjoyed greater freedom of worship and expression.
Over the years, their number has grown, and now stands at around 2 million. The country's tiny Catholic community has also expanded and now has some 9,000 members.
The Catholic Church is active in education with 31 schools, eight in Kathmandu alone. About 65 priests, 17 men religious and 160 nuns work in education.
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