Kathmandu – As Nepal undergoes a period of profound political and social renewal, the Catholic Church looks to the future with confidence. “We see God’s work in our country,” says Father Silas Bogati, Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate of Nepal, in an interview with Fides. The Catholic community is growing steadily: Every year, about one hundred adults are baptized and received into the Catholic Church, bringing the total number of faithful to almost 9,400, who are involved in educational, social, and pastoral projects throughout the country.
Father Bogati is hopeful for the future of the Church’s presence in the Himalayan nation: With 13 parishes, four of them in the capital Kathmandu and nine in the rest of the country, the faith community may be “small, but very vibrant,” Father Bogati noted. “Most of the faithful are practicing Catholics. We have a vibrant parish life with prayer groups, youth groups, charismatic groups, and Marian devotion movements. Our community is growing, which is a sign of hope for us,” he says.
Among the most pressing needs of the local church is the expansion of its pastoral infrastructure: “We are still a poor church,” the priest notes. “We lack the resources to build new churches, parish houses, and chapels. There is still much to be done to improve our structures.” On a religious level, Article 26 of the Nepalese Constitution, which has been in effect since 2015, guarantees freedom of religion. However, a law prohibiting missionary work and paying particular attention to religious conversions remains in force. Father Bogati explains: “Many people spontaneously find their way to our church through schools, social projects, and charitable initiatives. They experience our witness, learn more about our work, and then ask to be baptized.” Looking at the current situation in the country, the Apostolic Administrator observes a period of profound political and social change, characterized by the political engagement of new generations who have returned to political life. “Last year,” the Apostolic Administrator notes, “there was a kind of youth revolution. The so-called Generation Z made its voice heard, demanding above all good governance, transparency, and change.” Following the elections last March, the country entered a new era. The new government, led by the young politician Balendra Shah, has embraced these demands and the desire for change. “There was a strong need for renewal, and today many citizens look confidently toward the new political direction. The government has opted for a style that emphasizes less talk and more action. The challenge will be to reform the country while maintaining balance,” he observes. Currently, there is mutual trust between citizens and institutions: “Young people are full of hope,” says Father Bogati. “After a long time, a head of government has finally emerged who promises to keep his word. People trust him, but whether he deserves that trust remains to be seen.” “You could say there’s a kind of honeymoon phase between the government and the people. But no honeymoon lasts forever. The relationship needs to be strengthened through concrete results,” he adds. The priest also highlights some critical points, however. “The government has been in office since March 2026, and many ministers are new to political office. This inevitably leads to a certain lack of experience, which is both a limitation and an opportunity.” Among the biggest social challenges remains emigration: “Unemployment is driving many young people to work abroad.
The Nepalese economy is heavily dependent on remittances from emigrants to their families.” For this reason, the government aims to create new jobs in strategic production sectors: “We need to promote industry, tourism, and agriculture, which remain some of Nepal’s most important economic resources. Promoting tourism and enhancing world-renowned destinations like the Himalayas are also key priorities,” explains Father Bogati. Among the government’s initial measures are several decrees. One of these revoked numerous appointments made based on political connections: “Approximately 1,500 people who had obtained public office through political connections were removed. This measure has been widely supported by the population,” reports the priest. At the same time, some of the decrees passed by the government have sparked debate. These include measures to restrict the presence of trade unions in certain areas of the public sector, as well as anti-corruption measures that have led to investigations and arrests for alleged financial crimes. Particular attention is also being paid to the education reform, which directly affects Catholic institutions: “One of the new regulations requires schools with foreign names to adopt local names within a year. This also affects our long-established schools, some of which have existed for over seventy years and are named after saints such as Saint Joseph,” explains the Administrator. For the Church, this is a sensitive issue: “If we were forced to change our name, we would lose an essential part of our identity. Therefore, we intend to enter into a dialogue with the government to explain our position and find a joint solution, possibly through an exemption,” he explains. Despite these concerns, the priest emphasizes that the authorities have not shown any hostility toward the Christian community. “The government has not shown any prejudice against Christians,” he says. “We hope that it can usher in a period of peace and good governance that will give new hope to the population.” Father Bogati then draws attention to Pope Leo XIV, who enjoys great esteem in the Himalayan nation. Of the approximately 29 million inhabitants, 80% are Hindus, while Christians of various denominations make up less than 2%. “Nepalese Catholics follow the Pope through his writings and messages and have great respect and affection for him. Many non-Christians also appreciate his commitment to peace and his role as a moral authority on the international scene,” he explains to Fides. “The Nepalese people and government are committed to peace. For this reason, the Pope’s message is received with respect and is also an important witness for those who do not belong to the Catholic Church,” he concludes.
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