The Hindu : New Delhi News : Bishops mourn priest’s death

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 30, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Bishops mourn priest’s death

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on Wednesday expressed sorrow at the death of Bernard Digal – the priest who was attacked during anti-Christian violence in Orissa on August 24. Fr. Digal died of injuries at a Chennai hospital on Tuesday.

Extending condolences to the bereaved family, the CBCI acknowledged the “ultimate sacrifice” made by Fr. Digal to “keep his faith.” Fr. Digal was the treasurer of the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese.

According to a statement, Fr. Digal was attacked on August 24 when “Hindu fanatics” targeted Christians in Orissa.

“His attackers took him for dead when he lost consciousness due to heavy blows on his head and body. He spent the night naked, bleeding and unconscious on the village road until help came early morning. With his death, the toll in the seven-week long attack touches 60.”

Further, noting that Christians were still under attack in Orissa, the CBCI urged the State government to offer proper medical and other needed assistance to over 10,000 people who had taken shelter in refugee camps.

Another cause of concern for CBCI was that owners of farmland were unable to return to their villages and harvest the standing crop.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi