Bhagalpur, Jharkhand: As reported earlier, few missionary priests and their co-workers who were arrested from the Rajdah Mission area, were facing difficult times as the government denied their bail pleas and intentionally delayed the process. The missionary priests Rev. Fr. Binoy John, Rev. Fr. Arun Vincent and their co-worker Munna Hansda were arrested on the pretext of alleged forceful conversion of people living in the Rajdah Mission area of Bhagalpur District in Jharkhand. While Rev. Fr. Vincent was released earlier, the bail please for the rest were initially rejected and later, the process were delayed citing irrational reasons.
As per sources, the two accused were granted bail at around 2:30pm by the honorable court. Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Thomas N M, in his statement has issued a note of gratitude to all those officials, who helped them stabilize in the time of such deep crisis. He begins by thanking God almighty, following which he mentions the contributions of his excellency Bishop Kurian Valiakandathil in guiding them through the process and for composing the distressed faithful of the diocese. In his note, he adds special mentions to many benefactors who helped the diocese of Bhagalpur, in releasing the two priests. Few of them included His Lordship Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alenchery, Rt. Rev. George Madathilkandathil (Bishop of Kothamangalam), Mr. Omman Chandy, Ex. Chief minister of Kerala and people’s representatives like Mr. Dean Kuriakose, P. J. Joseph, K. C. Joseph and so on.
“Our sincere thanks goes to Mr. Dean Kuriakose, Edukki, M. P. who came to Godda today to visit Fr. Binoy and Mr. Munna in the jail and took his time to visit Rajdah mission from where Fr. Binoy was taken under police custody. We also express our thanks to Fr. Antony Pulimalayil, the home parish priest of Fr. Binoy and his parish community and his dear and near ones for their prayerful support,” said Rev. Fr. Thomas.
He concluded the note by thanking all the faithful who prayed endlessly for Fr. Binoy and Munna and also requested everyone to keep praying for priests and missionary activities in India.
For details on the case: (https://www.catholicfocus.in/cardinal-mar-george-alencherry-reprimands-the-arrest-of-missionary-priestskochi-the-major-archbishop-of-the-syro-malabar-church-cardinal-george-alenchery-reprimanded-the-arrest-of-christian-missiona/)
