Christians in Nepal to be allowed a cemetery

(June 22, 2011) Christians in Nepal will finally have a cemetery. The ministry of cultural affairs has formally instructed the ministry of home affairs to make it possible for Christians to start acquiring land for use as a cemetery. Chari Bahadur Gahatraj, a Christian pastor who been leading the public campaign for burial land for Christians, said on Monday that a committee had been formed to define the four corners of the burial land. He said: “The committee has to assure the local people living around this Badikhel village area, some of whom are Christians, about several things, including the fact that the graveyard will not deplete their water resources.
A 40-day protest was held in April in the capital over the issue of giving burial land to Christians. Pastor Gahatraj said land would be made available in Kathmandu and later on in other districts.
Nepal’s pro-vicar, Fr. Pius Perumana, said: “The protesting Christians managed to get international attention and so I am not surprised the government is moving ahead.” UN meeting on atomic energy urges stronger, effective nuclear safety standards