Catholic Church in Orissa helps free 19 Sri Lankan fishermen

(Oct. 04, 2011) The Catholic Church in eastern India’s Orissa State has helped free 19 Sri Lankan fishermen out of 24, who were held in Orissa for more than two months for having exceeded the limits of territorial waters in the Indian Ocean. The delicate mediation of the Catholic Church in Orissa has proved crucial in their liberation. The release was divided into two phases: on Saturday,October 1^st, Fr. Dibakar Parichha, Secretary of Justice, Peace and Development Commission of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, took up the initiative and released ten of them, held in Jagatsinghpur prison. Last Monday, (October 3) nine others - including five Christians were released. At the request of the priest, the fishermen will stay in his house waiting to complete all official formalities to return home.
Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack- Bhubaneswar,who met the men after their release told them "We can feel the agony and suffering you have experienced in recent months in prison. This is a moment of joy for all of you. You will return home soon, so look to the future with hope. "
For the last five Sri Lankan fishermen, the prison doors will open later. Speaking to AsiaNews, Fr Pariccha explained that one will be released on November 11, two more on January 1st 2012. “We still do not know when the last two will be released “ he said and added that their boats - also confiscated by police in Orissa - will not be returned to their rightful owners.