Priest’s Kidney Donation Inspires Many

(january 20, 2011) A Catholic priest has inspired people from various religions to join a movement that encourages voluntary kidney donations. Five people, including multi-millionaire Catholic businessman, offered their kidneys for poor patients at a press conference in Kochi on Tuesday. Kochouseph Chittilappilly, the businessman, told UCA News on Tuesday that Father Davis Chiramel, founder president of the Kidney Federation of India, inspired him with his example. In 2009, the Trichur archdiocesan priest donated one of his kidneys to a Hindu renal patient. He later launched the federation to encourage voluntary kidney donation. Chittilappilly said he was severely “challenged” to find a kidney for a relative some time back. “Then I found a great role model in Father Chiramel and decided to donate my kidney after convincing my family,” he added. He has agreed to give his kidney to Joy, a poor tailor. “I can live healthy with one kidney,” Chittilappilly said and added, “We have to return what we have received from God. It’s the only way to make the world better.” Joy’s wife Jolly said that she has promised to donate her kidney to Shamsudeen, a Muslim youth. His wife Sainaba would donate her kidney to John, a Catholic youth, and his mother Jessy would give her kidney to a Hindu. Father Chiramel said that his movement has started the world’s first kidney donation chair. “We have started a kidney bank and are trying to convince more people to join it,” the priest said. The chain is also promoting communal harmony, he claimed. Sebastian Paul, former Member of Parliament, said the priest has given hope to hundreds of poor kidney patients. “I see God In him,” Paul added.