A new Indian priest for the Nepali Church: I chose to serve God here
Fr. B. Rajasekaran is a Jesuit who has worked for 14 years in the Himalayan country. He was ordained in the presence of many faithful, including more than 200 Hindus. The latter lined up to receive the blessing of the new priest. Apostolic Vicar: "It is my hope that vocations will grow in Nepal".
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - "I chose Nepal because the people really need God here” Fr. B. Rajasekaran, a Jesuit of Indian orgine, who has just been ordained in Kathmandu Cathedral tells AsiaNews. For 14 years in Nepal, Fr. Rajasekaran decided to stay in the Himalayan country because he heard "the voice of the people, who want to change their lives through God. I will strive to make visible the presence of the Lord in their lives".
The ordination took place on August 27 in the presence of many Christians and non-Christians. Over 200 people from the Hindu religion have joyfully welcomed the new priest lining up to receive his blessing (see photos below). All of them have made the sign of the cross showing that they are familiar with Christian gestures.
Mana Tamang, a Hindu boy who attended the ceremony, said: "I was living in superstition and darkness until I started reading the Bible and attending church. Millions of Nepalese live in the same way. May Jesus and the message of God bring joy and peace to the small Nepalese community". The youth adds that "it does not matter if I was a Hindu, before I did not know the true values of life. Now dozens of young Nepalis will follow the teachings of the new priest and they will do all they can to make his dream a great success".
Fr. Rajasekaran explained that he chose the Society of Jesus "because education is the graetest way to change people. Knowledge and teaching will bring people to change and it is in this way that I can spread God's message".
Msgr. Paul Simick, Apostolic vicar of Nepal, encouraged the new priests to "reach every person, spreading Catholic teachings, Jesus and serve the community." Then he concluded with a wish: "The growing interest in the priestly life encourages me to hope that one day, Nepal will have enough priests to carry out missionary and evangelical activities".
Nepal is home to about 150 thousand Christians, of which 8 thousand are Catholics. Before the fall of the monarchy (2006) Hinduism was the state religion and influenced the life of every citizen. In September 2015 it adopted the first democratic and secular Constitution of the country, which guarantees freedom of religion. Recently, however, eight Christians were sent to trial for proselytism which raises fears of new restrictions on freedom of worship.
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