Two Korean missionaries from the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartrese were arrested and sent to prison in Nepal. The local police arrested Sr. Gemma Lucia Kim and Martha Park on alleged charges of proselytizing and conversion activities. They were working in Pokhara, some 200 km from the Nepalese capital Kathmandu. After being denied bail the nuns who were in custody till 27 September, sent to prison.
“The Catholic community is shocked to hear the Verdict. although it was commented that the sisters would be granted bail. The decision was against them,” the Apostolic Vicar of Nepal, Bishop Paul Simick said. The nuns were running a training center in the slum area and during the Covid -19 pandemic, they took it upon themselves to distribute food to the most vulnerable people. The accusations and conversations are completely unfounded and unjust. This act reveals not only the intolerance of those who accused the sisters but also the ignorance of the needs of the poor, lamented Bishop Simick.