For Nepal bishop, Christ brings about a more just world ‎

A country that welcomes and respects Jesus "gains dignity and respect on the international stage ‎because it shows respect for the values of democracy. Spirituality and religion are aspects that improve ‎the national status," said Bishop Paul Simick, Vicar Apostolic of Nepal at an ecumenical gathering held ‎in Kathmandu on Christmas Day.  Several representatives from government and civil society groups, as ‎well as leaders of other Christian denominations and thousands of ordinary Nepalis, Christians and ‎Hindus, attended the gathering.  In his address, Bishop Simick noted the rising gap between rich and ‎poor in Nepal and around the world. "Christ was born for everyone, and his mission was also to limit ‎the differences among human beings, who are brothers," he said. "Likewise, we must reject violence, ‎discrimination and terrorism around the world."  Bishop Narayan Sharma of the Church of the ‎Believers urged Nepali Christians not to be afraid to reach out to every person with the teachings of the ‎Bible.   In a message, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala assured Nepal’s Christian community that in the ‎nation’s new Constitution, the rights of Christians and other minorities will be protected.  Nepal is ‎home to some 150,000 Christians, of which 8,000 are Catholics.  Before the fall of the monarchy in ‎‎2006, Hinduism was the state religion and influenced the life of every citizen.  The proclamation of a ‎secular state has led to religious freedom; however, minorities - especially Christians - are still subject to ‎harassment and threats from the majority community. ‎(Sourec: AsiaNews)