Mysterious death of Catholic priest

(February 19, 2011) A priest belonging to Palayamkottai diocese in Tamil Nadu was found murdered in the pastoral center of his parish on Wednesday .Police broke into the room of Father G. Amalan after receiving complaints of foul smell on Feb. 16. The 54-year-old priest was the secretary of the diocese’s family commission. They found the priest’s naked body lying on the bed with hands and legs tied and a pillow kept on his face, Father Antonysamy, vicar general of the diocese told Uca News on Thursday. “It was shocking to see his body,” he said and added that the autopsy report indicated the priest was murdered on Feb. 14. The vicar general also quoted the police as suspecting the murder took place for money. The police are looking for a person who regularly visited the murdered priest. Bishop Jude Paulraj of Palayamkottai expressed shock at the murder. Father Amalan “was a simple, honest and a kind person. It is very sad he died like this,” the prelate told Uca News. The funeral took place on Thursday.