Nepal

By BosNewsLife Asia Service with BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- Christians in Nepal tried to worship Saturday, June 13, after police detained a Hindu militant for alleged involvement in a bomb blast that killed three people and injured over a dozen others at a Roman Catholic Church, and the prime minister pledged to end political strife in this impoverished mountainous nation.

By Mark H. Junayed, BosNewsLife Special Correspondent reporting from Nepal KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)— Christians in Nepal flock to prayer services after several church bombings, carried out by suspected Hindu militants, injured at least three people in recent days, church leaders told BosNewsLife.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- Nepal's government has defended a proposed law that Christians say effectively bans evangelism and could lead to a crackdown on devoted believers. Under the new legislation, anyone who preaches or tries to persuade others to change religion could receive up to five years imprisonment and receive a fine of 50,000 Nepalese Rupees (some $700).

By BosNewsLife Asia Service KATHMANDU,NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- Native Christian missionaries in Nepal say they will continue evangelism despite unrest over a newly constitution that enshrined a long-time ban on proselytizing. The new constitution signed by Nepal's president on September 20 outlaws "any act to convert another person from one religion to another or any act or behavior to undermine or jeopardize the religion of another," with violations punishable by prison and/or fines.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service KATMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- Christian aid workers were among those desperately searching for survivors who may be buried amid the rubble in the Nepalese capital of Katmandu, or trapped in remote mountain villages, as the death toll soared past 4,000 from Saturday's massive earthquake.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- The jailed chief of a Hindu-militant group has asked forgiveness for his alleged involvement in the May 23 church bombing in Nepal that killed three people.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- Nepali Christians say proposed amendments to the country's new constitution, expected to come into effect this August after seven years of parliamentary discussions, could render all Christian activity illegal.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service KATMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- Authorities in Nepal say police have detained an alleged leader of a feared militant group who was seen as the mastermind of a deadly attack on a church and other institutions.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BosNewsLife)-- A Christian advocacy group said Thursday, June 3, that Nepal's churches are experiencing "unprecedented growth" despite reported political turmoil and persecution.