Catholic Church in Bhutan
The Roman Catholic Church in Bhutan is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.
Origins
In 1626, several Jesuits were traveling from Cochin and attempting to make a new route to the Jesuit mission in Tibet. They eventually came to the city of Paro in modern-day Bhutan.[1] Two religious orders – Jesuits (in 1963) and Salesians (in 1965) were invited to the country to direct schools. The Salesians were expelled in February 1982 on disputed charges of proselytism. The only Catholic missionary allowed to stay in the country was Canadian Jesuit Father William Mackey who served Catholics there from 1963 until his death in 1995, but performed no conversions.[2]
21st century
There are thought to be about 1000 Catholics in the country [1] and Christians of all denominations are subject to persecution.[3] The official religion is Buddhism and Catholic missions have been denied entry.[4] On Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001, Bhutanese police went to churches and registered the names of believers and threatened the pastor with imprisonment after an interrogation.[5] It is illegal for Christians to hold public services and priests are often denied visas to enter the country.[6] The first Bhutanese Catholic priest, Jesuit Kinley Tshering, was ordained in 1986. He was initially dissuaded by missionaries, but after a meeting with Mother Teresa, he decided to become a Catholic priest.[7] He is allowed to travel freely in Bhutan, and celebrates Christmas mass under the pretext of his birthday, also on December 24.[4] He is also thought to be the first convert from Buddhism to Catholicism in Bhutan.[8] Bhutan has never had a native Catholic hierarchical jurisdiction, but is covered by the Diocese of Darjeeling.[9][10] Catholic relief groups have worked to help displaced Bhutanese who were expelled from Bhutan in 1990.[11]
References
- ^ David M. Malone (2008). "Our Man in Bhutan". Literary Review of Canada. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Asia at a Glance". Fides. April 17, 1998. Archived from the original on 2006-06-13. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ Dubey, Prakash (February 23, 2006). "Almost no place for minority religions on Bhutan's national TV". Asianews.it. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ a b "No masses and entry visas for Catholic priests". AsiaNews.it. January 20, 2004. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "Christians Told To Leave Faith Or Leave Bhutan". Catholic World News. April 20, 2001. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ Coday, Dennis (January 16, 2004). "Bhutan bans public masses". Catholic National Reporter. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "Jesuit priest yearns to return to Buddhist homeland". Catholic News Agency. June 5, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ "Bhutan's only Buddhist convert yearns to bring Catholicism to homeland". Union of Catholic Asian News. May 29, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ "Chronology of Catholic Dioceses: Bhutan". katolsk.no. September 8, 2004. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Prakash Dubey (October 27, 2006). "Only university graduates to run for office in Bhutan's first 'democratic' elections". asianews.it. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Danielle Vella (November 14, 2005). "The Jesuit Refugee Service celebrates its 25th anniversary". asianews.it. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
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