http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=102765 Date: 2007-02-11
1st Bishop Appointed for Nepal
KATMANDU, Nepal, FEB. 11, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI elevated the Apostolic Prefecture of Nepal to the rank of apostolic vicariate, which means that the country will now have a bishop.
The Vatican press office announced Saturday that the Pope appointed Father Anthony Sharma, 69, as the first apostolic vicar of Nepal. He is currently the apostolic prefect of Nepal.
Anthony Sharma was born in Katmandu in 1937. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1956 and was ordained a priest in 1968. He spent years in India, teaching in the area of Darjeeling, and he was rector of St. Joseph's College.
He was appointed ecclesiastical superior of Nepal in 1984.
When Pope John Paul II elevated the "sui iuris" mission of Nepal to the rank of apostolic prefecture, Father Sharma became its first apostolic prefect.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal counts 6,600 Catholics in a population of 23.7 million.
It has five parishes, two churches that are virtually parishes, six mission stations and 22 substations, served by 11 diocesan priests and 40 religious priests. There are five major seminarians and 112 women religious.
In addition, the Church has 44 educational and 16 charitable institution.
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Nepal warns of chaos during Shivratri, says Hindu extremists coming to capital
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 9 - CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal on Friday said that Hindu extremists were planning to create chaos in the capital during the upcoming Shivratri festival.
Inaugurating the Kathmandu district convention of the CPN-UML today, Nepal said that the stage was being set to re-enact yet another "Hritik Roshan scandal" under the direction of reactionary forces.
Nepal further said that although the Terai unrest had ended, the extremists could engage in "various conspiracies" to disrupt the constituent assembly elections and urged the eight parties to remain alert.
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