ASIA/NEPAL - Church's work in Nepal increases

Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic community in Nepal is strengthening its commitment to education and social services to benefit Nepalese society. This is what the Fides has learned from local sources that tell of the progress and new activities recently undertaken by the Catholic community of Nepal.
On May 30, the Sisters of Loreto, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the foundation of their congregation, opened new buildings in Dharan (Eastern Nepal), which will be used for education service, for medical assistance, and social support for poor families.
Also, in Godavari, the Sisters of Adoration recently opened a new home for children that can accommodate 50 children. The house offers care to children, especially the poor and abandoned, and is another area in which Catholics communities are most involved. About a month ago also, the religious inaugurated a new school just south of Kathmandu. The Institute is named after Saint Alphonsa, the Indian saint who has many devotees in Nepal.
The Catholic community continues, therefore, to grow in its commitment to education. In the town of Chitwan (southern Nepal), there was a blessing of the cornerstone for the foundation of a new school run by the religious of the Congregation of the Little Flower, already active in the area, so that they can expand their educational service for young people. Finally, there is good news coming from government sources: official approval seems imminent for the Marianist schools present in different areas of Nepal. This will expand the increasingly important work of education, which is the basis for the emancipation and development of the local population.
"The mission of evangelization for the Nepali Church passes through works of charity and education," says the Apostolic Vicar, Bishop Anthony Sharma, stressing the increasing commitment of the local Church.
In addition to great efforts in education (the Church operates thirty schools throughout the country), the Catholic community is active with various types of social services for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 08/06/2010)