KATHMANDU (UCAN) — Catholic priests in Kathmandu say they will mark the Year for Priests by highlighting priestly and religious vocations for youths in Nepal.

Young parishioners of the Church of Our Lady of Assumption bearing the offertory during the Mass that marked the launch of the Year for Priests in Nepal — Photo by Ashish Pradhan

They also say threats from Hindu extremists will not deter them and that they will work during this year with “greater determination” and “renewed vigor.”

Priests from around Kathmandu gathered on Aug. 8 at the Church of our Lady of Assumption to mark the start of the Year for Priests. Bishop Anthony Sharma, apostolic vicar of Nepal, was the main celebrant.

Talking to UCA News afterward, Father Silas Bogati, director of Caritas-Nepal, said the “ever growing challenges” for the priests in the country will not stop them from performing their duties, “but will help us move ahead with greater determination.”

He was referring to the May bomb blast at the Assumption church and threats from Hindu extremist groups asking the 1.5 million Christians to leave the country or face dire consequences.

The bomb blast on May 23 killed three Catholics and left 13 others injured.

“This year is specially a year for prayers for and by the priests and a year to lay emphasis on increasing vocations in the country,” said Father Bogati.

Of the 70 priests — 14 diocesan and 56 Religious — in Nepal, only six are Nepalis. The rest are foreigners, mostly Indians and Americans.

The Jesuit regional superior in Nepal, Father Lawrence Maniyar, echoed Father Bogati’s words. “Why should we be afraid and leave the country and go away when some terrorist or anti-social group asks us to leave?” he asked.

“It is the people that we serve and if they want us to leave then we will, but not at the behest of a section of people,” he said.

He added that the Year for Priests is a year for “all of us” to always remember that there is a group of ordained people serving God and a year to remember them in prayers.

“It is also the year to lay special emphasis on the need for more priests from Nepal,” he added.

According to him, the Jesuits have appointed a full time “vocational
promoter” for Nepal to encourage young men to take up the priestly vocation.

Father Robin Rai, parochial vicar at the Church of the Assumption, also said the year will be marked with prayers by and for priests.

“There are great challenges for the priests in Nepal and I think we should face them as they come,” he said.

Parishioners congratulating priests during the Mass — Photo by Ashish Pradhan

During Mass on Aug. 8, leaflets containing prayers for priests were handed out to Catholics, while Father Rai urged all to remember priests in their daily prayers.

Bishop Sharma, in his homily, said, “We want our young people to know that Religious life” is a viable option. “If you feel there is a calling, stop for a moment and think about it; don’t ignore it.”

Meanwhile, parishioners and Religious in Kathmandu said the Year of the Priests will give them an opportunity to appreciate their priests “for what they do for us.”

Brother Rakesh Zeno, founder of the Poor Servants of Jesus the Master,’ the first indigenous Religious community in Nepal, quoted Pope Benedict XVI in saying, “Without priests there would be no Eucharist and without the Eucharist there would be no Church.”

Binod Gurung, president of Nepal Catholic Society, said it is the responsibility of all lay people to pray for the priests all around the world. According to him, a committee has been formed to plan and organize events to mark the Year for Priests.

“Events having to do with the priestly vocation will be organized across the country to encourage young people to take up the religious life,” Gurung said.