Carmelite Priest Tortured, Killed in Andhra Pradesh

(August 18, 2008) The tortured and disfigured body of a Carmelite priest was reportedly found in the Yellareddy area of Naxalites-infected district of Nizamabad in Andhra Pradesh. The body of Father Thomas Pandippallyil, 37, a member of Carmelite of Mary Immaculate, as found when people waiting for Sunday Mass in a village, began a search after the priest failed to turn up. On a way side in Yellareddy they found his body with legs and hands crushed with severe beatings, and eyes were pierced with a sharp weapon. He is believed to be killed on Saturday night. His motor bike was also found abandoned. The body was found almost a kilometre from the motor bike that he used. His head and also had serious injuries. The body was found in a deserted area in Balampilly village. “Father Thomas is a martyr: he sacrificed his life for the poor and marginalised. But he did not die in vain, because his body and his blood enrich the Church in India, particularly the Church in Andhra Pradesh” said Msgr. Marampudi Joji, Archbishop of Hyderabad and Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of Andhra Pradesh. The Indian Church is shocked and deeply saddened by this barbarous killing, the result of a growing climate of intolerance and violence against Christians in this country,” he said. The prelate immediately made his way to the area where the massacre took place and expressed the shock of a “traumatized” Christian community. The priest was actively involved in educational field. He joined the Chanda mission of the CMI on 24th June 1987. He was ordained a priest in 2002. He was the Rector for the Chanda mission province of the CMI, and also worked as hospital administrator, school manager and mission centre director. The burial would be at the Balampilly Provincial House on Wednesday morning