Kathmandu: A newly ordained Jesuit priest from India says he chose to work in Nepal because he was convinced people of the Himalayan nation “really need God.”
“I chose Nepal because the people really need God here,” Fr. B. Rajasekaran, who was ordained a priest on August 27, told AsiaNews.
Hundreds of Christians and Hindus attended the ordination in Kathmandu Cathedral. The new priest later said he decided to stay in Nepal 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.”
More than Hindus joyfully welcomed the new priest lining up to receive his blessing. 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 greatest 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 150,000 Christians, of which 8,000 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.