ASIA/INDIA - Archbishop Menamparampil has “a missionary look at Bhutan”

Guwahati (Agenzia Fides) – From his diocese of Guwahati, in the state of Assam (north-east India), borders with Bhutan, a territory “which we have always watched closely”, Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil confides to Fides. The Archbishop said that he has been “studying and closely following the developments of the situation in Bhutan” and he looks forward with confidence to be able to take “important steps forward” in evangelisation. “We want to wholeheartedly help the people of Bhutan,” said Archbishop Menamparampil.
Of course, the difficulties of this are obvious: the Christian preachers were beaten and jailed and there is no freedom of mission in the Country. In any case, the Archbishop remarked, “there are already various Christian groups of different denominations in Bhutan. The policy to want to officially register them may indicate a desire by authorities to regulate their activities.”
Today, only a Jesuit priest, the Canadian Kinley Tshering, a relative of the royal family, is authorised tp conduct rare travel throughout the Buddhist kingdom. After the partial opening by the Government, which had indicated its intention to recognise the existing Christian communities, some Catholic missionary orders have offered their willingness to travel to the Country (see Fides 27/1/2011).
Archbishop Menamparampil, known for his negotiating skills - which led to peace in different conflicts in the state of Assam - is a prudent and far-sighted person. He may be the person, who, away from the spotlight, can make a delicate diplomatic effort to explore new possibilities for the Gospel to flourish on Bhutanese soil. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/2/2011)