By Verghese V Joseph –
Rich tributes for the late Jesuit priest Fr Stan Swamy swept across the country as people from all walks for life came together to pay their respects for a man who died for his conviction.
Father Stan was arrested on 8 October 2020 by the National Investigation Agency for his alleged nexus with naxals to destabilise the Government. He was kept in Taloja Central Jail near Mumbai without trail. His bail plea was rejected twice. He was shifted to Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai on 29 May on the orders of Bombay High Court and he passed away on 5 July, awaiting bail.
Prayer meets and candlelight sessions were held in almost all cities, towns and villages in honour of Fr Stan. Similar events were held in Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and other states.
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) too in a statement said, “His last month in custody on a hospital bed till the last moments is the most heart-wrenching tragedy of an innocent man persecuted for doing good.”
On July 6, in Kharsang, Aruachal Pradesh, the Christian community mourned his death with candlelight condolence prayer service across the State.
“It is a sad day for all Indians. We have failed, our judiciary has failed and our country has failed”, said Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese in east Arunachal Pradesh.
Organising a condolence prayer service at Kharsang market area in Changlang district, Bishop George said, “The death of Father Stan calls for introspection on our judicial system. Father Stan’s death reminds us of how Jesus was unjustly condemned by the Pilot.”
Speaking at the backdrop of a prayer service held at Bishop’s House, Naharlagun, Bishop John Thomas of Itangar diocese in west Arunachal Pradesh said, “Every Indian voter shares the shame of this institutional murder of Father Stan Swamy.”
The President of the Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association, Taw Tebin, too condemned the “institutional murder” of Father Stan. “Father Stan’s blood is on our hand. Is this the reward we give to a person who has dedicated all his for the service of humanity?” Tebin asked.
In Bangalore too, candlelight condolence prayer meet was held on Wednesday at St Joseph’s College. Archbishop Peter Machado was present at the occasion to honour the person who fought for the most downtrodden of the society.
In Guwahati, Assam, the North-East India Regional Bishops Council (NEIRBC) organised a memorial service. A press statement released by Fr. G.P.Amalraj, the deputy secretary of NEIRBC, during the programme stated, “It is with immense pain that we learnt the death of Fr. Stan while he was still under detention. Aside from the pain it has caused to the poor tribal people on whose behalf he laboured, it has shaken the confidence of society in our justice administrative system and tarnished the image of the country at the international level.”
Auxilia Sequeira & Ernest Flanagan also paid a tribute by singing a song. Click below to view.
On Tuesday, a funeral Mass was celebrated in Mumbai bidding farewell to Fr. Stan Swamy, the 84-year-old jailed Indian Jesuit priest who died in a hospital the previous day.
Tuesday’s requiem Mass for Fr. Stan, that was streamed live, was presided over by Bombay Jesuit provincial, Fr. Arun De Souza. Joining him at the altar were Fr. Joe Xavier, who had helped in arranging the legal issues after the arrest of Fr. Stan, and Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas, whom the Bombay High Court had appointed as Fr. Stan’s attendant in hospital.
In his death, Fr Stan’s legacy lives on!