by Kalpit Parajuli

On the occasion of the feast of Pentecost eight Catholics receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The Vatican representative in India and Nepal celebrates together with the faithful in the Cathedral of the Assumption. "Discover and share the faith among the people."

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - The Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal participated, Sunday 19 May, in celebrations for the Feast of Pentecost at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Kathmandu. At the ceremony, eight faithful received the sacrament of confirmation. "We know that the Catholic population in the country is small in number - said the Vatican diplomat - but its presence, in terms of education, charity and faith is decisive."

Salvatore Pennacchio, of Neapolitan origin, is the Holy See representative to Nepal. During celebrations on Sunday, he was accompanied by the Tanzanian Msgr. Romanus Mbena, and the two at the end of the Mass, distributed some pictures of Pope Francis. The many faithful present at the liturgy promised to engage in spreading the word of God and kissed the hands of the papal nuncio at the end of the celebrations. The latter, asking Catholics to share their faith with people, finally added that "neighboring countries and the world are impressed by the contribution of Catholics in Nepal in spite of the small community they represent."

The Catholic community has about 7 thousand Nepalese faithful and constitutes 0.45% of the population. In the country the Hindus form the largest religious group, representing about 80% of the population. In the past, the relationship between the two religious communities have been tarnished by some acts of violence against the Christian minority perpetrated by Hindu fundamentalist factions such as the Nepal Defence Army. Five years ago, Fr. John Prakash was killed and three Catholics lost their lives due to a bomb set off in the Cathedral of the Assumption.

 

• Nepal
• catholic
• community
• feast
• of
• pentecost
• witness
• confirmation