Two Christians killed, several injured in church bombing

 

At approximately 8:40 a.m. on May 23, a bomb exploded inside the Assumption Catholic Church in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, killing two Christians and injuring at least a dozen others. Approximately 400 Christians were inside the building at the time of the blast. Fifteen-year-old Celeste Joseph was killed instantly. A 30-year-old woman, Deepa Patrick, was seriously injured and later died in hospital. A pamphlet was found on scene from the National Defence Army, a terrorist group that wants Hinduism restored as the state religion.

Pray for those mourning the loss of Celeste and Deepa. Pray for healing for those injured. Ask God to enable Nepalese Christians to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer as they suffer for Him (Romans 12:12).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Nepal, click here.

  • Current Ministry Project

    Through training on awareness, advocacy, and the theology of persecution, VOMC is helping to equip church leaders in Nepal to better respond to and withstand persecution.

    Project Fund: Equipping the Saints

  • Country Information

    Population
    30,899,443 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Chhettri (16.5), Brahman-Hill (11.3), Magar (6.9), Tharu (6.2), Tamang (5.6), Bishwokarma (5), Musalman (4.9), Newar (4.6), Yadav (4.2), Rai (2.2), Pariyar (1.9), Gurung (1.9), Thakuri (1.7), Mijar (1.6), Teli (1.5), Yakthung/Lumbu (1.4), Chamar/Harijan/Ram (1.4), Koiri/Kushwaha (1.2), other (20)

    Religion (%)
    Hindu (81.2), Buddhist (8.2), Muslim (5.1), Kirat (3.2), Christian (1.8), Other (0.5), Unspecifed (0.2)

    Leader
    President Ram Chandra Poudel (2023)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    English common law and Hindu legal concepts

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Nepal

    Pray that Christians will practice their faith with courage.

    Pray that despite the lack of freedom to share the hope of faith in Christ, the Lord will give Christians opportunities to evangelize.

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Nepal News

  • Appeal Denied for Pastor
    Keshav Raj Acharya is smiling.
    Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya
    Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

    In November 2021, Keshav Raj Acharya, the pastor of the Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal, was convicted of proselytising and, as a result, sentenced to two years in prison. Even though his sentence was reduced to one year upon appeal, Pastor Keshav subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court of Nepal. For more details, read these reports.

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  • Church Attacked as Part of Growing Trend
    A congregation in Nepal.
    A church service in Nepal.
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    Two churches in the same town of Nepal's Lumbini Province were attacked during the first four days of September. Reports describing the incident indicate that damage was done to the facilities of both churches, as well as to a motorbike. In one photograph, two men identified as pastors are shown being assaulted on the street. A sticky black substance was smeared on their faces in an act considered a cultural sign of disrespect and hatred.

    Read more...

  • Pastor Keshav Released on Bail
    Keshav Raj Acharya and his wife.
    Photo: Voice of America

    Since March 2020, Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya of the Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal, has faced numerous allegations and charges. Initially charged with spreading false information about COVID-19, the pastor was eventually cleared of all accusations. However, he was later arrested for two cases of "outraging religious feelings." In July 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison. (For more information, click here.)

    Read more...

  • Pastor Receives One-Year Sentence
    Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya
    Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya
    Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

    Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya of the Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal, has faced ongoing pressure from Nepalese authorities over the past two years. Initially detained in March 2020, he was accused of spreading false information about COVID-19 after uttering a recorded statement that "God is able to heal." Eventually those charges were dropped, but the pastor was arrested twice more for allegedly trying to convert Hindus to Christianity and "outraging religious feelings." In November 2021, he was convicted but granted bail a month later while appealing the ruling (see this page).

    Read more...

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Nepal Videos

 
Nepal: "From the Dust" - John Monger's story
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Nepal: Christians 'On Top of the World' Facing Persecution
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