Bishop applauds abolishment of Nepal's 239-year-old monarchy

Published: 2008-05-29

KATMANDU, Nepal (CNS) -- The bishop of Nepal described the recent abolishment of Nepal's 239-year-old Hindu monarchy as "truly a great achievement." Catholics, "as citizens of the country, deserve to be proud, and we rejoice with the nation and our brothers and sisters. We thank God for his blessings," Bishop Anthony Sharma of Nepal told the Asian church news agency UCA News May 29. Nepal's Constituent Assembly voted overwhelmingly to abolish the monarchy May 28, a day after its members were sworn in in the capital, Katmandu. The assembly gave the king 15 days to leave office. The announcement that assembly members had voted to support the proposal for the implementation of a republic was not made until close to midnight. Despite the late hour, people thronged the streets of the capital, singing, dancing and waving the flags of various political parties to welcome the republic.

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