Nepal: conversions to be outlawed? Church scrubs catechism classes
August 25, 2011
Catholic Church officials in Nepal have halted a popular catechism class, as the country’s lawmakers prepare to vote on a law that would ban all religious conversions.
Since Nepal became a secular state in 2006, the Catholic Church has received about 25 new converts each year, and 300 non-Christians regularly attend Sunday Mass at the cathedral in Kathmandu. But the new law would make it illegal for anyone to change religious affiliations, and the catechism class would be regarded as an illegal form or proselytizing.
Church officials are hoping for the defeat of the proposed legislation. Christian Solidarity Worldwide points out that the law would clash with the religious-freedom provisions of international treaties that Nepal has accepted.
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Further information:
- New anti-conversion law causing fears, forcing Church to stop catechism course (AsiaNews)
- Church and NGOs: "No to anti-conversion laws, we need to protect religious freedom" (Fides)
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