KATHMANDU, Nepal, JULY 24, 2008 (Zenit.org).- An interreligious meeting for prayer was held in the capital of Nepal to show the need for greater union in response to violence against minorities.
The meeting recalled the July 1 slaying of Salesian Father John Prakash, 62, who directed a school in Sirsiya in the Morang district of the South Asian country. The Nepal Defense Army, a group of militants seeking to return the country to a Hindu state, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Those attending the prayer meeting recalled Father Prakash's missionary commitment, urging all to do good, regardless of their religious affiliation.
"He was a person capable of great compassion for the poor and the marginalized. His commitment to Don Bosco school in Sirsiya was appreciated by all," said Bishop Anthony Sharma, the country's first and only bishop, serving as apostolic vicar of Nepal.
Keshav Chaulagin, secretary of Nepal's Interreligious Council, expressed solidarity with the Catholic community and added that people of all religions should condemn the murder of the Salesian.
L'Osservatore Romano noted that a "slow process" has begun in Nepal "to foster dialogue: four feasts of as many religious minorities have been recognized, including Christians' Christmas."
The minorities requested this government measure when Nepal was declared a lay state in 2006. Nepal was previously the world's only Hindu nation
The country has more than 29.5 million inhabitants, over 80% of whom are Hindus. Christians constitute 0.4% of the population.
