2016-08-12 16:18:00

Indian priest invites Pope Francis to donate corneas ‎


An Indian Catholic priest spearheading a campaign for cornea donation has invited Pope Francis to pledge his corneas to inspire others to help the blind.  Claretian Father George Kannanthanam's appeal, which asked the Pope to pledge his corneas to mark World Sight Day on Oct. 13, was handed to Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio on Aug. 10.  "Your one act will inspire millions of people around the world to emulate," read Father Kannanthanam's appeal to the Pope.  "Sight will be the best gift you could give to the world in the Year of Mercy," said the appeal.

Father Kannanthanam who founded Project Vision a year ago to create awareness about cornea donation, told UCANEWS that India needs around 140,000 cornea transplants every year but currently only 30,000-40,000 corneas are collected.  Media reports say thee are some 39 million blind people worldwide with more than 15 million of them in India. It is estimated that in 20 percent of these cases vision can be restored through cornea transplantation, Father Kannanthanam said.  He urged the nuncio to take up the cause with various Church bodies in India, including the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, Catholic Religious of India and Catholic Health Association of India. (Source: UCAN) 








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