Ranchi: Archbishop Felix Toppo SJ on Saturday presided over a Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand for Fr. Stan Swamy who died in Prison on 5th July 2021. At the mass held on 10th July and broadcast online, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, Bishop Vincent Simdega, the three Jesuit Provincials of the Central India provinces and representative Jesuit Priests concelebrated the Holy Mass. Given the Covid restrictions some youth and a few Sisters representing the Religious Congregations participated in the Mass.
Fr. Jerry Kuttina SJ, Provincial of Jamshedpur to which Fr. Stan belonged introduced Fr. Stan as a man who lived for the tribals, fought their battles and died for them. Fr. Stan and his battles will continue to live on in us, promised Fr. Jerry. Fr. Ajit Xess SJ read the Gospel of the day and Rev. Fr. Santosh Minj SJ, the Provincial of Hazaribagh gave a vote of thanks at the end of the Mass.
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas in a very inspiring Homily spoke about Fr. Stan being gathered to his people through the ashes brought to Ranchi just like Jacob in the first reading who wanted to be gathered to his people. He said we do not mourn Fr. Stan, but rather celebrate his life lived for the poor and marginalized. He was loved by many but also hated by a few who tortured him, persecuted him, refused to meet his basic needs.
Quoting an article of Julio Ribeiro he said that only 2 per cent of the cases prosecuted under the UAPA have ended in convictions till date. The State obviously is not concerned about convictions. It is more interested in the process that keeps the accused in jail for years, thus neutralising their abilities to organise a viable opposition to unjust projects that rob the poor of their rights and even their livelihood. In Fr. Swamy’s case it also deprived a gentle soul of his life! The Bishop appealed for prayers that all those accused should be released immediately unless the Sate is able to prove conclusively their guilt.
After the Mass, Archbishop Felix, Bishop Barwa, Bishop Mascarenhas, Fr. Jerry, Fr. Ajit and Fr. Santosh along with Mr. Kuldeep Tirkey and the youth distributed breakfast packets to over 150 poor people first outside the Cathedral gates and then in the Chunwatoli basti near the bus stand.