Christianity is a minority religion in Bhutan, practiced by an estimated 0.5% to 3.5% of the population (roughly 20,000 to 30,000 people). While the 2008 Constitution provides for religious freedom, Buddhism is established as the country’s “spiritual heritage,” and Christians face significant legal and societal challenges.
Legal Status and Restrictions
- No Registered Churches: There are no officially recognized church buildings in Bhutan.
- Secret Gatherings: Most Christians meet in private homes or “underground” fellowships to avoid legal penalties.
- Anti-Conversion Laws: Proselytism and “coercive” conversion are illegal and can lead to up to three years in prison.
- Registration Barriers: The government has yet to allow any Christian organization to register, effectively keeping the community in a legal gray area.
Challenges for Believers
- Social Pressure: Converts from Buddhism often face intense pressure from family and village leaders to return to their original faith.
- Administrative Hurdles: Christians sometimes struggle to obtain a “Non-Objection Certificate” (NOC) from local authorities, which is required for jobs, loans, and renewing ID cards.
- Limited Resources: Importing Christian literature is restricted, and Bibles are often brought in from neighboring countries like India or Nepal.
- Burial Issues: Since cremation is the cultural norm, Christians often face difficulties securing land for traditional burials.
Historical Background
- Jesuit Beginnings: The first known contact was in 1627 when Portuguese Jesuits Estêvão Cacella and João Cabral visited the court of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
- Medical Missions: In the mid-20th century, Christian presence grew slightly through medical and educational missions, such as the work of Canadian Jesuit Father William Mackey.
- Modern Demographics: The majority of Bhutanese Christians today are of Nepali heritage and reside primarily in the southern regions of the country.
Denominations
| Denomination | Description |
|---|---|
| Pentecostals | Currently the most common form of worship in the country. |
| Catholics | A small community (est. 1,200) under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Darjeeling in India. |
| Non-denominational | Small groups that gather simply as “brethren”. |
The first and only native-born Catholic priest, Father Kinley Tshering, was ordained in 1986 and continues to serve the community.
Links for further overview of Bhutan:
Stichting HEALING THE NATIONS 