Catholic Church in Nepal
Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal Vicariatus Apostolicus Nepalianus | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | Nepal |
Population - Catholics | (as of 2011) 10,000 (0%) |
Information | |
Denomination | Catholic Church |
Rite | Latin Rite |
Established | 4 August 2011 |
Cathedral | Church of the Assumption in Kathmandu |
Current leadership | |
Apostolic Prefect | Bishop Paul Simick |
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The Catholic Church in Nepal is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the pope in Rome. As of 2011 there are over 10,000 Catholics in Nepal, organized into one Catholic jurisdiction known as an apostolic vicariate.[1][2]
Catholicism was first propagated in Nepal during the 18th century, though from 1810 to 1950 no missionaries were allowed in Nepal. Since 1951, missionaries have again been allowed to enter the country, though
In 2020, it was noted that Catholics make up 0.03% of the population.[4] In the same year, there were 113 priests and 211 nuns serving across 14 parishes.[5]
History
Origins
The history of Catholicism in Nepal begins with its inclusion within the jurisdiction of the Portuguese
Mission Sui Iuris 1983-1996
The Catholic Mission was established in 1983 with territory taken from Patna diocese in India and entrusted to the care of the Jesuits.
Apostolic Prefecture 1996-2007
Before
In May 2006, church leaders welcomed the parliamentary declaration that Nepal is now a "secular state," a change from what had been the only officially Hindu country in the world.[11] The first open air Christian musical program was hosted to celebrate the beginning of religious freedom for the first time in Nepal's history.[12] A convent was inaugurated along with a training center in western Nepal in June 2006, a first for western Nepal.[13] Six Nepalese youths went to World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany.[14] In a display of inter-religious cooperation, the Olympic torch was brought to the top of the sacred mountain of Makalu, having been blessed by both Pope Benedict XVI and the Dalai Lama.[15]
On February 10, 2007, Pope
Apostolic Vicariate 2007 - Present
At Nepal's Catholic cathedral, the Church of the Assumption in
Diplomatic relations
At the ambassadorial level, Nepal has exchanged diplomatic representations with the Vatican.
Persecution
At the start of the 21st century, Maoist rebels targeted Catholic institutions, such as their torching of two Catholic schools in 2002 in the Gurkha region.[25] A mission in Eastern Nepal was subject to attack by Maoist insurgents in 2003, destroying a residence, clinic, chapel, kindergarten and kitchens.[26] In July 2007, Father John Prakash, rector of the Salesian School, was murdered by people thought to be connected to the Nepal Defence Army[2][27] During Maoist attempts to call a national school strike, they attacked a small Catholic school in mid-western Nepal with a bomb.[28] In May 2009 a group called the Nepal Defence Army bombed Assumption Church in Kathmandu during a prayer service, killing three people.[29] The church was also blackmailed for money in August 2012 by someone claiming to be a member of the group.[29]
In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom.[30]
See also
References
- ^ Cheney, David M. (2004). "Vicariate Apostolic of Nepal". catholic-hierarchy.org. Archived from the original on 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ a b c d Parajuli, Kalpit (2011-10-20). "Nepalese Catholics grow. A challenge to the anti-conversion laws". AsiaNews.it. Archived from the original on 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ Gaborieau, Marc (2002). ‘Christian Minorities in the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal.’ Archived 2020-01-03 at the Wayback Machine In Religious minorities in South Asia: selected essays on post-colonial situations, edited by Monirul Hussain and Lipi Ghosh. New Delhi: Manak Publications. p.96.
- ^ World Religions Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ a b Chhetri, Srijana (December 2004). "Nepal's First Churches". wavemag.com.np. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ Battandier, Albert (1911). "Bettiah". Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. II. Archived from the original on 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2006-06-12.
- ^ Chhetri, Srijana (November 26, 2000). "Chronology of Catholic Dioceses: Nepal". katolsk.no. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ a b c "First Official Visit by New Nuncio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana". Fides. September 7, 2003. Archived from the original on June 23, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ Akkara, Anto (May 8, 2006). "Christianity grows rapidly in Nepal, despite ban on conversions". Ecumenical News International. Archived from the original on June 17, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "UCAN: Catholic leaders welcome Nepal becoming secular state". Union of Catholic Asian News. May 22, 2006. Archived from the original on June 21, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "Christians hold open-air musical program to celebrate country's new religious freedom". Union of Catholic Asian News. July 3, 2006. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "First permanent buildings give Church more presence in Nepal". Union of Catholic Asian News. June 22, 2006. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved 2006-07-04.
- ^ "Getting visas for six Nepalese youths to attend the WYD proves complicated". AsiaNews.it. August 10, 2005. Archived from the original on July 7, 2006. Retrieved 2006-07-04.
- ^ Dubey, Prakash (June 5, 2006). "Olympic torch blessed by pope on sacred mount". AsiaNews.it. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2006-07-04.
- ^ "Nepalese native promoted to vicariate". Fides. February 12, 2007. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ Vance, Karen (August 30, 2004). "Missionary's learned much in Nepal". The Enquirer. Retrieved 2006-07-04.
- ^ "Our Work: Nepal". Catholic Relief Services. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ a b "Spreading the Catholic faith in Nepal". Catholic Leader. 2011-03-20. Archived from the original on 2011-04-22. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ "Interim Constitution of Nepal" (PDF). WorldStatesman.org. 2007. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ UCA Editorial Staff (2011-07-29). "Nepal will not attend WYD, say officials". UCA News. Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ UCA Editorial Staff (2011-01-20). "UN rights review gives Nepal Catholics hope". UCA News. Archived from the original on 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ Zenit Editorial Staff (2004-06-04). "Nepal Gets 1st Catholic Pastoral Center". Zenit News Service. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ "Bilateral and multilateral relationships of the Holy See". Vatican.va. February 1, 2001. Archived from the original on June 27, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "Attacks on Schools Fail to Deter Church in Nepal". Zenit News Agency. October 13, 2002. Archived from the original on June 23, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ Coday, Dennis (October 10, 2003). "Maoists torch Catholic mission". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ Zenit News Staff (2009-05-25). "Nepal Church Bomb Kills 2, Injures 8". Zenit News Agency. Archived from the original on 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ Coday, Dennis (June 18, 2004). "Violence closes Nepal's schools". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved 2006-07-04.
- ^ a b "Catholic church in Nepal says it has received threats from Hindu group". Associated Press. 2012-08-17. Archived from the original on 2016-01-15. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ Freedom House, retrieved 2023-08-08
External links
- GigaCatholic
- Nepal Catholic Society
- A Conversation about Nepali Christianity (includes comprehensive bibliography)