New reports from Nepal reveal a growing number of young people who are drifting away from the inequality inherent in the caste system of India and are finding the equality they seek in the Catholic Church.

AsiaNews is reporting that youth such as 12 year-old Diko Tamang are scandalized by Hindu religious tenets that prohibit people from worshiping based on their caste.

"I saw with my own eyes whole groups prohibited from entering Hindu temples just because they were from the lower castes," Diko told AsiaNews. "These people could not offer prayers; it is an unforgivable discrimination."

Diko, who attends catechism classes with other youngsters at Kathmandu's Assumption Cathedral, said he believes the Christians have the right idea by treating everyone the same.

"This is what I like and what inspired me to become Catholic. When I grow up I want to be able to spread the message of God's equality in our society," he said.

There are about 150,000 Christians in Nepal, including 8,000 Catholics. Hinduism was once the state religion, but after the fall of the monarchy in 2006, religious freedom was granted to the population. Unfortunately, some minorities, such as Christians, are still subject to harassment.

Rita Maharjan, 18, who attends catechism class with Diko, says she came to the Church after her sister experienced a miraculous cure at the hands of a Catholic priest.

"I came here at the invitation of my sister, who is Catholic," Rita told AsiaNews. "For a long time, she had serious health problems, paralyzed in the legs, unable to walk. We spent a lot of money to treat her. One day one of her friends encouraged her to go to church and be blessed by the priest. She did, and a few weeks later she was healed. When I tell this, a lot of people do not believe me, but it is true and I can testify to God's power and grace on my sister. I want to become Catholic, tell people about my experience and feel the grace of the Lord."

An estimated 100 million Christians are persecuted every year around the world, with the deadliest and most severe occurring in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

In spite of these tragic numbers, the global Catholic Church continues to grow every year. According to the latest statistics, there are approximately 1.214 billion Catholics in the world, comprising 18 percent of the world's population. The highest number of Catholics receiving baptism in 2011 was found in the Americas at 48.8 percent, followed by Europe at 23.5 percent, Africa at 16 percent and Asia at 10.9 percent.

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