Written by Raju Pradhan
During a regular Saturday service at the Catholic Church of the Assumption yesterday 23rd of May 2009 an unexpected bomb blast rocked the whole church. Just fifteen minutes into the service people witnessed a huge flame which many thought was due to an electric short-circuit. The flame was followed by 2 or 3 blasts. The startled people started running out of the church in chaos. Some started tending to the injured while many were completely shocked to do anything.
Two, Ms. Celesia Joseph, a class 10 student of St. Mary’s High School, Jawalakhel and a 30 year old Ms. Deepa Patric of Patna have been confirmed dead while more than 15 were injured. The injured are being treated at Patan Hospital, Alka Hospital and one at Bir Hopsital. Out of injured some are in critical condition.
Many of the religious leaders have visited the devastated church and expressed their solidarity with the church. They have condemned the attack and named such cowardly attack as an attempt to hinder religious harmony. Among the religious leaders that visited the church to express their concerns were Mr. Damodar Pokhrel, president of the Nepal Hindu Federation, Mr. Najanphal Husain, President of Muslim Sangh, Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, General Secretary of the Inter-religious Parishad and about 30 Christian pastors of various denominations of Kathmandu.
At about 3 pm on the same day about 30 pastors of various denominations of Kathmandu valley met with the representatives of the Catholic Church to discuss on the strategy to be taken by the churches in Nepal to ensure that such incidence do not occur again. The meeting came up with the suggestions of organizing a rally, lobbying with the government and the need for the churches to be united. The meeting concluded by appointing a small informal committee with 2 to 3 member representatives from both the Catholic Church and the pastors. The committee was given the responsibility to come up with future plans of action.
The newly appointed Prime Minister, Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal visited the church today to inquire of the incident. He also visited the injured. He expressed commitment to inquire into the incident, bring the involved to justice and provide compensation to the victims.
A prayer service was conducted at the Church at 3 p.m. today. The 1 hour service was marked by reading of the verses from the scriptures, prayers, singing of hymns and words of condolence from Mr. K. P. Sharma Oli of UML, Ms. Pampha Bhushal of United Maoist and Mr. K. B. Rokaya of NHRC. Among others present for the service were the Bishop of the Catholic Church in Nepal Most Rev. Anthony Sharma, Bishop Narayan Sharma of the Universal Church and Mr. Krishna Mahara (United Maoist Party).
Involvement of Nepal Defense Army in the incident has been suspected.
Republished in new layout on 7/30/2013
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