Religious liberty at risk in Nepal
March 05, 2010
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is warning that Nepal’s new constitution, which will go into effect in May, may not permit conversions from one religion to another. The current draft language recognizes a Nepali’s right to practice a religion “handed down to him or her from ancient times paying due regard to social and cultural traditions” and states that “no person shall be entitled to convert another person from one religion to another.”
Following a Maoist rebellion, Nepal ceased to be a Hindu monarchy and became a secular republic in 2006; Christians have been able to evangelize. 81% of the nation’s 26.1 million people are Hindu, while 11% are Buddhist, 4% are Muslim, and 0.2% are Catholic. The tiny Catholic community is exceptionally rich in priestly vocations.
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Further information:
- New Nepali Constitution should not enshrine anti-conversion proposals, warns CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)
- Laborers for the Harvest (Catholic World Report)
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