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A
Catholic priest was found murdered today, July 30, at
Belthangady of Dakshina Kannada district.
According to UCA News, a Catholic news agency, the
disrobed body of Father James Mukalel, 39, was found on
a roadside in the morning of July 30. The priest met
with the tragic death when he was returning to his
parish, after attending a funeral of one of his former
parishioners.
Fr Thomas Kannankal, the diocesan social work director,
was quoted saying that the death of the priest clearly
is a case of murder. His body was found far from his
motorbike and also it showed signs of suffocation.
According to the priest, the diocese had witnessed some
violence against Christians in the past year. Police are
inquiring them, he said.
An advocacy group, meanwhile, said it was “dismayed and
shocked” by the brutal murder.
The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) condemned
the priest’s murder and also called for a Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.
“This is the 33rd incident of attacks against Christians
in Karnataka in the year 2009,” the Bangalore-based
group said.
It said Rev. Tomy Mattom, the Chancellor of Belthangady
Diocese, confirmed the murder was carried out in a
systematic way without causing suspicion.
“GCIC urges the CBI to institute a thorough
investigation of the murder of Catholic Priest James
Mukalel and all other attacks of Christians in
Karnataka,” it said.
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