Caritas Nepal underscored its commitment to serving the poor in the west of the country by formally opening a new regional office on Saturday in Kohalpur, around 535 kilometers west of Kathmandu. “This place will serve as the gateway to the poorest region of the country. Caritas will also help save lives by delivering emergency relief and developmental aid more efficiently to so many in dire need,” Bishop Anthony Sharma said at the inaugural Mass. The focus of the church in Nepal is now to go west, said the bishop, who has been president of Caritas Nepal since its founding more than 20 years ago. Caritas director Father Silas Bogati said eight staff members will initially man the new office.