Daijiworld Media Network
Kochi, Mar 6: In an exemplary gesture that few are capable of, the mother of the priest who was slain a few days ago visited the family of the accused man and declared that she has forgiven her son's killer.
Photographs of the elderly woman, visiting the family of the man who allegedly murdered her son and declaring that she forgave the killer, are melting hearts.
Thresiamma, the mother of Father Xavier Thelakkat who was the rector of St Thomas International Shrine in Malayattor visited the family of Vattapramban Jomy, the sacristan who allegedly stabbed the priest as revenge for suspending him.
Thresiamma accompanied by her daughter Thresia, son Sebastian and relatives Pappachan, Vinoj and Biju comforted the murderer’s wife Annie.
In a heart-melting scene, both Annie and Thresiamma were in tears. Annie wept bitterly and begged pardon on behalf of her husband.
Thresiamma hugged and told her, "Let’s forget and forgive, and entrust everything in God’s hands."
According to reports, Vattapramban Jomy’s family was isolated after he was caught. The visit and forgiveness gave the grieving family comfort.
Annie was overwhelmed by Thresiamma’s visit and supposedly collapsed after they left. She had to be rushed to a hospital for primary care.
The incident
Fr Thelakat belonged to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, of the Syro-Malabar rite, and was the rector of the sanctuary of St Thomas in Malayattoor, a famous pilgrimage destination. Jomy worked as the sacristan at the sanctuary for 37 years. As Jomy used to come to church in an inebriated state, Fr Thelakkat fired him from his job three months ago.
On March 1, Jomy visited Fr Thelakat asking if he could be get his job back. When Thelakkat refused, he stabbed him in his leg and fled.
Jomy was arrested the next day. Head of Kalady police station Saji Markose said that Jomy was in a precarious condition and had attempted suicide but had failed. “He admitted to his crime and said that he did not intend to kill the priest but only attack him,” Markose told reporters.
But Xavier suffered grievous injuries and bled to death, while being rushed to a hospital in nearby Angamaly.
The body of the priest was handed over to the Church authorities after autopsy. The funeral was held on March 3.