Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Fides Service) - Catholics in Kerala, south west India, are deeply shaken after a priest, Father Job Chittilappilly aged 71, was murdered his home next to the parish church of Our Lady of Grace in the town of Thuruthiparambu. An investigation by local police revealed that the body was discovered early in the morning and that the priest had been stabbed several times. The motive for the crime is still unclear but it would appear to be an execution in cold blood. Nothing was touched or stolen from the house of the priest who had served the Catholic community of Syro-Malabar rite, deeply rooted in Kerala, for forty five years.
The local Bishop, Bishop James Pazhayattil of Irinjalakuda diocese, contacted by Fides said “Father Job was attacked and killed while he was praying the rosary before going to celebrate the 6.30 Mass. Our diocesan community is still deeply shaken and we have no idea who would want to kill him”.
Local church sources say that Father Job had recently received telephone threats to stop proselytising. He used to visit people in their homes including Hindus but he never tried to convert them by force and he was always made welcome the Bishop said.
“This is the first time that a priest has been killed in Kerala”, said Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomhuzhy of Thrissur, who has called for a police enquiry to find and punish the murderer.
Father Job’s funeral was held at St Anthony’s church in Moorkanadu parish where he was born. Numerous priests, religious and lay people, as well as civil and political personalities attended the Mass presided by Bishop James Pazhayattil. Father Job was buried in the parish cemetery.
This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on Christian places and persons denounced recently by the Bishops. On August 26 in the central eastern state of Orissa a group of Hindu militants attacked and desecrated the parish church of Our Lady of Charity in the village of Rakia also destroying the homes of several Christian families near the parish.
Pallottine Father John Sunderam, parish priest in the archdiocese of Ranchi, in Jharkhand state is still in coma after being seriously wounded by band of criminals who broke into his church on August 22. Assistant priest Father Albino Tirkey was also hurt, although less seriously, as he tried to save his confrere. The Catholic Bishops of India have voiced concern for the wave of violence, called on the civil authorities to intervene and urged the people to work to build religious tolerance and harmony.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2004 lines 48 words 492)
