From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Catholic Church in Bhutan is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.
[edit] 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]
[edit] 21st century
Bhutans first catholic priest was convinced to join the clergy by Mother Theresa.
There are thought to be about 200 Catholics in the country 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 8th, 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 initial dissuaded by missionaries, but after a meeting with Mother Theresa, 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 24th.[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]
[edit] References
- ^ David M. Malone (March 2008). Our Man in Bhutan. Literary Review of Canada. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Asia at a Glance. Fides (April 17th, 1998). Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ Dubey, Prakash (February 23rd, 2006). Almost no place for minority religions on Bhutan’s national TV. Asianews.it. Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ a b No masses and entry visas for Catholic priests. AsiaNews.it (January 20th, 2004). Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ Christians Told To Leave Faith Or Leave Bhutan. Catholic World News (April 20th, 2001). Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ Coday, Dennis (January 16th, 2004). Bhutan bans public masses. Catholic National Reporter. Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ Jesuit priest yearns to return to Buddhist homeland. Catholic News Agency (June 5th, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Bhutan’s only Buddhist convert yearns to bring Catholicism to homeland. Union of Catholic Asian News (May 29th, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Chronology of Catholic Dioceses: Bhutan. katolsk.no (September 8th, 2004). Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Prakash Dubey (October 27th, 2006). Only university graduates to run for office in Bhutan's first 'democratic' elections. asianews.it. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Danielle Vella (November 14th, 2005). The Jesuit Refugee Service celebrates its 25th anniversary. asianews.it. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
