Fr Thomas's martyrdom spurs us to dedicate our lives to Jesus: Card Gracias
India, 4 April 2013: "Let us not lose hope. Let us not allow Fr Thomas's martyrdom
be in vain. May his blood bring vigour and strength to his students and inspire new
vocations to the priesthood," Card Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops'
Conference of India (CBCI), told the Church in India. The latter is still under shock
after the terrible murder of Fr K.J. Thomas, rector at St Peter's Pontifical Seminary
in Bangalore (Karnataka), who was killed by unknown persons on Easter night. His funeral
is set for this Saturday at Ettumanoor, his native village near Kottayam (Kerala).
At present, police are continuing their investigation into the murder, whose
authors or motive is still a mystery. Students and staff at the seminary in Bangalore
that Fr K.J. Thomas had run for two terms are mourning his death. All of them describe
the clergyman as "a humble and good-hearted man."
As CBCI president, Card Gracias
wants the Indian Church as a whole to respond "to the pain and distress caused by
Fr Thomas's dreadful murder." For him, the clergyman's "murder must be a tribute to
the priesthood. We priests are called to give our life to the people, devote ourselves,
if necessary, to the point of death and this is what happened to Fr Thomas."
"In
the Chrism Mass, Pope Francis reminded us priests that we must always be 'shepherds
with the smell of sheep, as shepherds among your flock, fishers of men," the prelate
noted. "A priest's life is precarious and its fulfilment lies only in serving others."
"Students
loved their rector, Fr Thomas," the prelate added. "Even in his death, he will continue
to inspire seminarians to dedicate their lives to Jesus. Even in death, Fr Thomas
is a powerful witness, who proclaims the death and the resurrection of our Lord."