Bangalore: Fr K J Thomas murder: 'Don’t allow language issue to scuttle probe'


From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 22: In an unprecedented move, as many as 19 priests of different parishes in the Ootacamund Diocese in Tamil Nadu have sent a signed representation to Karnataka’s Home Minister K J George to ensure that the ''language issue is not allowed to scuttle the investigation" into the ghastly murder of Fr K J Thomas, the then Rector of the St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore on the night of April 1 last year.
 
According to the letter sent to the State Home Minister, the 19 priests of different parishes of Ooty Diocese have expressed their ''sadness at the attempts by some priests/people to derail the whole matter by bringing in the language issue."

The 19 parish priests of the Ooty Diocese have sent of copies of the letter to Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio in New Delhi, Dr A Amalraj, Bishop of Ootacamund, and also to Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore.
 
Though Fr K J Thomas, who was aged 62 at the time of his brutal murder just outside his room in the Seminary last year, was born in Etturmanoor in Kottayam district of Kerala State, he joined the Ootacamund Diocese and became a priest. However, he served the St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore in different capacities and was chosen as the Seminary Rector for the second term.
 
Fr K J Thomas was widely respected among the priests and other sections of the people in the three States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
 
The Ooty Diocese priests, in their letter to the State Home Minister, mentioned that they were ''shell-shocked to hear of the brutal murder and anxious at the slow progress of the investigation."
 
According to the letter, a copy of which is available with Daijiworld, the Ooty Diocese priests said: ''But now we look forward to hopefully that you would proceed to render justice to Fr K J, his kith and kin to us his friends by pursuing without any let up, the investigation and bring the culprits to book whoever they may be."
 
''We are saddened to note that some priests/people in Bangalore are attempting to derail the whole matter by bringing in language issue. No Sir, please let not any issue to scuttle the investigation process and the course of justice," the priests appealed to the State Home Minister in their letter.
 
They also expressed their full confidence in the Minister that ''you would ensure that the culprits, however, mighty/influential/powerful/connected, are brought to book and are made to meet with the ends of justice."
 
The Ooty Diocesan priests have also informed the State Home Minister that, ''in our Diocese, we are praying daily for RIP for Fr K J and for revealing the identity of the killers and their motive."
 
The 19 parish priests of the Ooty Diocese, who have signed the letter, are: Frs S Anthonysamy (Rosary Church, Kondayanpalayam), A Vincent (St Mary’s Church, Talavadi, Erode, D Maria Joseph (St Joseph’s Church, Sosaipuram) A Lawrence (St Joseph’s Hr Sec School), Vincent (Sacred Heart Church, Metalvadi, Aralavadi) B James Roasario (St Antony’s Church, Panakahalli, Thalavadi), Paul Gaspar (Holy Cross Church, Chintahalli), Jaya Arulappa, Antony Samy (Nazareth Illam, Thalavadi), C Maria Anil Viennie (Doddagajanur), Joe F Felix (Annai Velankanni Shrine, Pudu Vadavalli, Sathyamangalam), M V Arthur (St Francis Xavier Hr Sec School, Periyakodiveri), C Antonysamy (St Francis Xaiver Church, Periyakodiveri), A Samuel Anchinam and A John (St Michael’s Church, Michaelpalayam).

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Wed, Apr 23 2014

    I still believe that the arrested persons/priests are innocent.and the real killer is still roaming about free.Only a track was layed to These People I think.but one day or the other truth will certainly come out may take Long.nothing is impossible.The true Person will be having his conscious prickling and will confess it one day.may be a religious Person or a secular.God will Show him one day.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Andy, New York

    Wed, Apr 23 2014

    We do not have right or authority to judge one another. I don't think Bangalore Bishop is innocent, we need to investigate his financial transactions and know how to bribe govt official to get his work done his way.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • essell, Mangalore, India

    Wed, Apr 23 2014

    Tomcat, Mangalore, How Malloo issue is connected to this murder case? The greed, jealous, ego is the culprit here.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Kusuma Kumari G, Nellore/Kodyadka

    Wed, Apr 23 2014

    Let the truth prevail. Let justice prevail. May god punish the guilty. Thats all I would say.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Madhu, L B Nagar

    Wed, Apr 23 2014

    The events remind me about the Perumon train accident, years ago. While the investigation was on the employees protested en bloc, that they are deprived of staff and amenities - a trick to divert the attention from the main issue. The protest and tricks won at that time. The cause of the train accident was 'found' to be a Tornado from the sky. The real reason was, as it was heard, that the workers left the railway track for tea break without setting it right for the trains to pass. With the help of the administration, they could avert any true finding. Would such a tornado come down from heaven to save the real culprits?

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stephen, Davangere

    Wed, Apr 23 2014

    Actually REV GEORGE THOMAS WAS NEXT ARCHBISHOP FOR BANGALORE..WE NEED CBI PROBE INTO THIS CASE

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • tomcat, Mangalore

    Tue, Apr 22 2014

    Why is it there no Kannadiga in Kerala seminary as rector. These mallus do not allow anyone else in their state, how ever manage by hook or crook to get positions in other states, second example or Karnataka state HM.

    DisAgree [16] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clifford, Mangalore

    Tue, Apr 22 2014

    The Vatican is quite strict about criminal priests. Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests involved with criminal activities in 2012. Any criminal activity from a priest unacceptable.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Tue, Apr 22 2014

    Indeed the language issue or for that matter any other issue should come in the way of proper investigations by The Department of Law and Order.

    I am with the people who call for a proper probe without any bias. I have no hesitation in stating that it was not right on the part of the earlier fifty priests to make allegations against anyone and particularly Archbishop Bernard, who has nothing to do with the case except for the fact he is sorry for the dear departed soul.

    JUSTICE SHOULD AND WILL PREVAIL.

    Joe Gonsalves

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Bangalore: Fr K J Thomas murder: 'Don’t allow language issue to scuttle probe'



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