By Harry Farley
Extremist groups in Nepal have warned Christian missionaries to leave the country, Fides reports.
Nepal is a secular state under the new constitution but an extremist Hindu group have distributed leaflets threatening Christians and warning them to leave.
“Foreign influence have manipulated government decisions.”
Despite this, Christian missionaries are continuing to work in Nepal, Fides sources said.
“Christians continue their mission of dialogue and proclamation of the Gospel of charity towards all,” the source said.
However Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has pointed out that the new constitution contains an anti-conversion clause that makes “any act to convert another person from one religion to another” illegal.
The new clause is a violation of international treaties, CSW said in a statement.
“This fails to allow for choosing and changing one’s faith to be seen as a positive individual choice or as a matter of individual rights, as required by international treaties which Nepal has signed and ratified,” the statement read.
As well as distributing leaflets, the radical Hindu group proposed an amendment to the Charter, calling for Nepal to be proclaimed a “Hindu state” again.
The amendment was rejected and Nepal remains a secular state. However, the anti-conversion clause remains, making proselytising illegal and recent bomb attacks on two churches are a worrying sign of ongoing persecution against Christians.
Please pray for all the missionaries in Nepal and for the spread of the Good News in Nepal.–Christian Today
