Church helps form Nepali Christian forum

With the help of Church in India, Nepali Christians have formed a forum to protect the country's secular character and provide a "unified Christian voice" on national issues.

The United Christian Alliance of Nepal, a joint platform of the Catholic Church and nine Protestant groups, was launched early this month following a recent conference organised by Nepalis living in India, according to a report published by The Telegraph.

"A unified Christian platform is very significant when the secular character of the country is under threat. We are happy that we could do a little bit from our side to help Nepali Christians to find a common voice," a Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) priest who didn't want to be named told the newspaper.

"The new joint platform will guide Nepalese Christians to retain the secular character of the country," the priest added.

He also said that the new forum has decided not to accept funds from any other country, including India, to avoid allegations of foreign funding.

Last month, Maoists thronging Kathmandu for a massive rally was refused shelter in Catholic churches after the CBCI stood against it.

The CBCI advised against aligning with any political party, as it would harm for the larger interests of the Church.

The CBCI has a big say in the Nepal Church, which was part of Indian dioceses until 1983.