India: Hundreds of priests and religious among Covid deaths

Catholics volunteers assist Covid patients - Fides

Source: Fides/India Matters

More than 329,000 people have died from the Covid pandemic in India so far. Among the dead are 204 priests, 212 nuns and three bishops. Suresh Mathew, Capuchin friar and editor-in-chief of the English-language magazine 'Indian Currents' said: "Most of the priests and nuns who died, were in rural areas carrying out pastoral work and did not have access to health services."

Among the deceased are religious from different religious orders. The Jesuits who work among the poor, indigenous groups, tribes and outcasts, have registered 36 deaths. The Missionaries of Charity, who take care of abandoned and dying people have lost 14 nuns.

Fr Suresh said: "The sisters were infected while on duty in the hospital. Some priests performed funeral rites or administered the sacraments and gave spiritual assistance to the sick. And, once infected, many of our priests working in remote parts of the country did not have access to adequate hospital care. Perhaps, if they had been in cities with better health infrastructures, they would not have lost their lives. They worked among the poor, the indigenous, the forgotten who did not have access or could not afford specialized care and hospitals. They remained by their side in difficulty, scarcity and destitution."

"They were people who, consciously, did not want to shut themselves up or isolate themselves, but wanted to continue their work, giving themselves, to bear witness to the merciful and compassionate face of God who looks at the suffering, even at the risk of their lives."

Fr Anand Mathew, a member of the Indian Missionary Society who have lost three priests, said: "We are all saddened by the death of so many nuns, brothers, priests and missionaries. We feel a lot of pain because we knew many of them. At the same time, we recognize and remember the death of many lay Christians and many young missionaries, as well as the sacrifice of people of various faiths, during the second wave of Covid."

Archbishop John Barwa, from the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, in Orissa, in eastern India, said his diocese has lost two priests due to Covid: "The priests were pioneers in the most remote missions in the Kingdom of God. The loss of such zealous missionaries is a great loss for the Church, for society and for the country."

"India is going through an unprecedented second wave of Covid as there is a growing gap between vaccine supply and need, lack of hospital beds, medicine and oxygen. There is serious concern for everyone. In addition, the loss of so many priests and nuns in these days is even more painful."

Father Dibyasingh Parichha, priest and lawyer in Orissa said: "They died while carrying out their pastoral service and their mission. Their contribution to the Church and her mission will be remembered forever. We thank God for the gift of these people and, following their example, we promise to continue dedicating our lives to God, the Church and God's people, in love and service, especially during the period of the pandemic."

India has about 30,000 Catholic priests, both diocesan and religious. There are about 103,000 sisters.