Christmas Celebrations in Nepal, a Low–Key Affair

Kathmandu, Nepal – Christians in Nepal celebrated Christmas in a low scale as Maoist rebels’ call for strikes and an unstable security situation have curbed festivities.

Reports indicated that Maoists launched a blockade around Kathmandu on December 23. They burned 22 vehicles including 18 supply trucks from the southern plains, triggering shortages of diesel fuel, kerosene, petroleum and sugar.

Many Christians in Kathmandu whose ancestral homes are in India, were stranded and could not go home for Christmas celebrations. In eastern Nepal, a 10–day vehicular "bandh," or strike, had paralyzed traffic since December 22. Many people who arrived by air that day have been stranded at the main regional airport in Biratnagar.

In the past, plans for midnight Masses, house–to–house carol singing and other traditional Christmas festivities were disrupted for fears of violence. The situation has shown no sign of improvement as the Maoists have curtailed many Hindu and Buddhist rituals and have attacked Church institutions in the Hindu kingdom earlier during the year.

The rebels have been fighting for eight years to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist republic. The conflict has caused 11,000 deaths, including 300 in the last two months, according to the National Human Rights Office.

However, despite the civil war and political instability, there was some Christmas festivity in Kathmandu. Christmas trees and other festive items were bedecked with lights and special Christian meals and programs were offered at some hotels and restaurants, struggling with the decline in tourism.

Fear has also halted carolers from Assumption Church from going on December 19 to Karuna Bhawan, a home run by the Adoration Sisters for women with HIV/AIDS.

Anu Siting, a Catholic who lives next to the home, said that Catholics planned to gather there for caroling. However, a masked youth claiming to represent the Maoists came on December 18 and demanded 25,000 rupees to be collected the following evening.

Adoration Sister Deepa Neeruvelil confirming the demand, said, "The carol–singing venue was shifted to the residence of a lay person on December 19, but the man came to (the residence) to collect his money."

According to the nun, some of the Karuna Bhawan residents told him "they would go with him as they too wanted to join the Maoists." She added, laughing, "I think he felt nervous and ran away – our girls chased (away) this fake Maoist."

A Christmas gift distribution organized by Couples for Christ was scheduled for the morning of Dec. 28 at Assumption Church. Neighborhood Hindu and Buddhist children near the church were invited for the occasion.

Due to security reasons, all Christmas Eve vigil Masses in Nepal took place early in the evening.

Outside the capital too, Christians in villages kept a low profile in their celebrations. In the midwestern town of Tansen, the Sisters of Charity of SS. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa quietly celebrated Christmas beside St. Capitanio School, where a bomb planted by Maoists went off in mid–November but caused no injury.