On Saturday May 23rd a bomb was set off inside the Assumption Cathedral in Kathmandu during Mass, killing two people and injuring dozens, two of whom remain in critical condition. Over three hundred people were inside the church at the time of the explosion, according to Fr. Pius Perumana from Kathmandu. The Apostolic Prefect of Nepal, Fr. Antu Sharma, SJ, who was about 300km away in another community at the time of the blast rushed back to be with the hundreds directly affected by this bomb blast.

The dead are Celesty Joseph, a class 10 student of St. Mary’s School and Deepa Patrick a resident of Bethia, India, died while undergoing treatment for her injuries. Fourteen others who were injured, two of them critically, are being treated at Alka Hospital, Jawalakhel and Patan Hospital.

An ecumenical prayer service was held in the church on Sunday to pray for the dead, the injured and for peace in Nepal. Many people, pastors, faithful from various denominations, other religions and political leaders from various parties joined in the prayer meeting. They condemn the attack and pledge their solidarity and support. Some of them including the newly elected Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal visited the church and the injured in the hospitals.

We at CJI ask for you to join us as we pray for those who were killed, the injured and for peace in this region.