Catholic Church in Bhutan
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The Catholic Church in Bhutan is part of the worldwide
Origins
In 1627, two Portuguese
20th century
Two religious orders - the Jesuits in 1963 and the
21st century
In the early 2000s, there are thought to be about 1,000 Catholics in the country where Christians of all denominations are subject to discrimination.[5] In 2020, Catholics were estimated to make up 0.18% of the population, or approximately 1,500 people.[6]
The official religion is Buddhism and in the past Catholic missions have been denied entry.[7][8]
On Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001, Bhutanese police went to churches and registered the names of believers and threatened one pastor with imprisonment after an interrogation.[9] It is illegal for Christians to hold public services.[10] The Constitution of Bhutan protects freedom of religion for Bhutanese citizens, but proselytism is forbidden. Article 7.4 states: "A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of thought conscience and religion. No person shall be compelled to belong to another faith by means of coercion or inducement."[11]
The first Bhutanese-born
Bhutan has never had a native Catholic hierarchical jurisdiction, but is covered by the Diocese of Darjeeling.[16][17]
See also
- Religion in Bhutan
- Christianity in Bhutan
- Catholic Church in India
- Catholic Church in Nepal
- Catholic Church in Tibet
- Catholic Church by country
References
- ^ David M. Malone (March 2008). "Our Man in Bhutan". Literary Review of Canada. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ISBN 9788184003116.
- ^ gTsang mKhan-chen ’Jam-dbyangs dPal-ldan rGyamtsho (c.1675). Dpal ’brug pa rin po che ngag dbang rnam rgyal gyi rnam par thar pa rgyas pa chos kyi sprin chen po’i dbyangs, in 5 parts (Ka - Ca) and a supplement (Cha).Reprint by Topden Tshering entitled The Detailed Biography of the First Zabs-drung Rinpoche of Bhutan Ngag-dbang-rnam-rgyal (Ngag-dbang-bdud-’joms-rdo-rje) (Dolanji, 1974, from the Punakha woodblocks of ca. 1797-1802)
- ^ "Asia at a Glance". Fides. April 17, 1998. Archived from the original on 2006-06-13. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ Dubey, Prakash (February 23, 2006). "Almost no place for minority religions on Bhutan's national TV". Asianews.it. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ The ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-28
- ^ "No masses and entry visas for Catholic priests". AsiaNews.it. January 20, 2004. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ Coday, Dennis (January 16, 2004). "Bhutan bans public masses". Catholic National Reporter. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "Christians Told To Leave Faith Or Leave Bhutan". Catholic World News. April 20, 2001. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (PDF). Royal Government of Bhutan. 2008. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-05.
- ^ "Jesuit priest yearns to return to Buddhist homeland". Catholic News Agency. June 5, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ "No masses and entry visas for Catholic priests". AsiaNews.it. January 20, 2004. Archived from the original on November 28, 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "Bhutan's only Buddhist convert yearns to bring Catholicism to homeland". Union of Catholic Asian News. May 29, 2007. Archived from the original on September 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ "'I am a person with great hope': Meet the Church's only Bhutanese priest". The Pillar. 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "Chronology of Catholic Dioceses: Bhutan". katolsk.no. September 8, 2004. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Prakash Dubey (October 27, 2006). "Only university graduates to run for office in Bhutan's first 'democratic' elections". asianews.it. Retrieved 2008-03-11.