Convent in Nepal caught up in demolition program

July 24, 2012: A convent has become the latest victim of a road-widening scheme in Nepal’s Kathmandu that has turned many businesses and homes into little more than a pile of rubble.

Bulldozers smashed down the exterior walls, gate and whole sections of the Missionaries of Charity convent on Saturday evening as part of plans to extend the width of the road in front of the building.

The sisters will have to demolish part of the three-story structure themselves to accommodate the widened road meaning they will lose their first-floor chapel and a play room for the 30-plus children who live onsite, many of whom are orphans or suffer from diseases including tuberculosis.

“We were only given two days’ notice and then we quickly moved things from the rooms near the road as we did not know what to expect,” said Sister Brigid Ann, the convent superior. About 10 sisters have lived in the convent for almost three decades, she added.

Meanwhile, to ease traffic congestion, Kathmandu authorities have also demolished the exterior walls of the largest and oldest Protestant church in the capital, damaging its interior. The destruction took place on July 21 at 5 am and continued until the beginning of Sunday service, ignoring the 500 people already gathered in prayer in the church, reported AsiaNews.

Several private buildings were also destroyed, despite the inhabitants' protests. To avoid clashes with residents, the city administration deployed hundreds of police in front of the church and the houses to be demolished.

Protestant Christian Rajan Rai, accuses the government of the city of considering places of worship equal to a normal building, regardless of their spiritual and historical significance. "The authorities have no respect for religious sensibilities - he stresses - and ignore the importance of faith for us."