Couple Charged with Forcible Conversion

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Blessed Children's Home building
On April 27, a couple who operates an orphanage and boarding school in Birganj city in southern Nepal was imprisoned on charges of forcible conversion.  According to EquipNepal, Babu and Sabitri Varghese could face up to three years in prison. They were scheduled to appear before the courts today to answer these charges.  In a hand-written note from jail, Babu wrote, "We count it's a great privilege to suffer for our God."

Emails received by EquipNepal from Babu, state that the incident began when a former employee of the school stole a picture of an adult baptism, apparently with extortion in mind.  The picture was sent to a local newspaper which published it in conjunction with an article accusing the orphanage of converting the children.  The newspaper then attempted to extort 100,000 rupees (over $1700 CDN) from the couple.  When they refused, a further article was published a few days later, calling Babu a "contractor for Christianity" and demanding six years in prison for the Vargheses.  They were accused of "making the orphans Christian."  On the contrary, Janis Viren of EquipNepal, states that while the school is a Christian school, most of the students are Hindu.  The orphanage, Blessed Children's Home, has seventy-eight children at present.  The Grace English Boarding School has over 300 students.

News article accusing the Vargheses of converting children

Pray that the couple will be released soon.  Pray for their two sons, Blesson (7) and Benson (9), and another infant who considers them her parents.  Pray for the remaining orphanage staff as they continue to care for the needs of the children.

For more information on religious liberty in Nepal, click here.

  • Current Ministry Project

    Through training on awareness, advocacy, and the theology of persecution, VOMC is helping to equip church leaders in Nepal to better respond to and withstand persecution.

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  • Country Information

    Population
    30,899,443 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Chhettri (16.5), Brahman-Hill (11.3), Magar (6.9), Tharu (6.2), Tamang (5.6), Bishwokarma (5), Musalman (4.9), Newar (4.6), Yadav (4.2), Rai (2.2), Pariyar (1.9), Gurung (1.9), Thakuri (1.7), Mijar (1.6), Teli (1.5), Yakthung/Lumbu (1.4), Chamar/Harijan/Ram (1.4), Koiri/Kushwaha (1.2), other (20)

    Religion (%)
    Hindu (81.2), Buddhist (8.2), Muslim (5.1), Kirat (3.2), Christian (1.8), Other (0.5), Unspecifed (0.2)

    Leader
    President Ram Chandra Poudel (2023)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    English common law and Hindu legal concepts

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Nepal

    Pray that Christians will practice their faith with courage.

    Pray that despite the lack of freedom to share the hope of faith in Christ, the Lord will give Christians opportunities to evangelize.

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