Rector murder:
archdiocese cancels pastoral consultation
Bangalore:
Bangalore archbishop has canceled a pastoral consultation scheduled for this month saying
"atmosphere is not conducive" for it after police arrested two priests and layman for a seminary rector's murder in his archdiocese.
Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore said this in a circular he issued to all Catholics in the archdiocese.
The archbishop said the circular was issued after the College of Consulters at their April 5 meeting wanted to issue clarifications regarding the recent developments on the murder of Father K J Thomas, the rector of St Peters Pontifical seminary. He was found murdered April 1 last year.
The consulters felt that the atmosphere is not "conducive to hold the Pastoral Consultation" scheduled for April 10.
The main purpose of the circular was to appeal "to all concerned priests, religious and lay faithful to keep calm" and pray that no innocent person is punished or harmed for the murder.
Two priests Fr. William Patrick and Carmelite Fr. Elias Daniel and a layperson were arrested for rector’s murder on March 21.
The archbishop left for Rome for a meeting on March 23 and was accused of using his influence for the arrests and trying to take revenge on those who are fighting for the Kannada cause.
The allegation is "totally false and baseless," he said, explaining that he is "prepared to suffer rather than take revenge."
"My going to Rome for the Pastoral Health Care Meeting was decided in November 2013. My ticket was booked months ago. It was wrong to connect my recent going to Rome and the events that took place subsequently," the circular explained.
The prelate returned on April 4 and visited the jailed priests the next day along with Father Archibald Gonsalves, superior of the Carmelites and three of his priests.
The archdiocese has been witnessing tension between Kannadiga Catholics and migrant Tamil-speaking Catholics from neighboring Tamil Nadu province. Kannadiga people say they are being neglected in Bangalore and across the state. Of the 10 dioceses in Karnataka, eight bishops are Mangalorians. None are Kannada.
Incidentally, a new bishop, a Mangalorean, was announced for Shimoga on March 19, two days ahead of police announcing the arrests. Some alleged the timing was set to avoid protest from Kannadiga people.
The prelate clarified that naming the new bishop of Shimoga was a coincidence as the date for such announcement is fixed by Rome.
The bishop also said the accusation that he sends "a large section of priests on a pilgrimage by spending millions of rupees to win them over" to his side was also baseless.
The pilgrimage was a "Diamond Jubilee gift" to priests and it was proposal discussed and approved by the College of Consulters.
Source: Archdiocesan circular
Bangalore ,Fr K.J. Thomas ,Rector Murder ,Priest Killed
archdiocese cancels pastoral consultation
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Bangalore:
Bangalore archbishop has canceled a pastoral consultation scheduled for this month saying
"atmosphere is not conducive" for it after police arrested two priests and layman for a seminary rector's murder in his archdiocese.
Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore said this in a circular he issued to all Catholics in the archdiocese.
The archbishop said the circular was issued after the College of Consulters at their April 5 meeting wanted to issue clarifications regarding the recent developments on the murder of Father K J Thomas, the rector of St Peters Pontifical seminary. He was found murdered April 1 last year.
The consulters felt that the atmosphere is not "conducive to hold the Pastoral Consultation" scheduled for April 10.
The main purpose of the circular was to appeal "to all concerned priests, religious and lay faithful to keep calm" and pray that no innocent person is punished or harmed for the murder.
Two priests Fr. William Patrick and Carmelite Fr. Elias Daniel and a layperson were arrested for rector’s murder on March 21.
The archbishop left for Rome for a meeting on March 23 and was accused of using his influence for the arrests and trying to take revenge on those who are fighting for the Kannada cause.
The allegation is "totally false and baseless," he said, explaining that he is "prepared to suffer rather than take revenge."
"My going to Rome for the Pastoral Health Care Meeting was decided in November 2013. My ticket was booked months ago. It was wrong to connect my recent going to Rome and the events that took place subsequently," the circular explained.
The prelate returned on April 4 and visited the jailed priests the next day along with Father Archibald Gonsalves, superior of the Carmelites and three of his priests.
The archdiocese has been witnessing tension between Kannadiga Catholics and migrant Tamil-speaking Catholics from neighboring Tamil Nadu province. Kannadiga people say they are being neglected in Bangalore and across the state. Of the 10 dioceses in Karnataka, eight bishops are Mangalorians. None are Kannada.
Incidentally, a new bishop, a Mangalorean, was announced for Shimoga on March 19, two days ahead of police announcing the arrests. Some alleged the timing was set to avoid protest from Kannadiga people.
The prelate clarified that naming the new bishop of Shimoga was a coincidence as the date for such announcement is fixed by Rome.
The bishop also said the accusation that he sends "a large section of priests on a pilgrimage by spending millions of rupees to win them over" to his side was also baseless.
The pilgrimage was a "Diamond Jubilee gift" to priests and it was proposal discussed and approved by the College of Consulters.
Source: Archdiocesan circular
Bangalore ,Fr K.J. Thomas ,Rector Murder ,Priest Killed
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