Ootacamund (CBCI NEWS): The St. Mary’s Church, ground was fully packed at 10.00 a.m, when bishops, clergy, religious and the laity gathered to offer a Requiem mass for the departed soul of Fr. K. J. Thomas. The con-celebrated mass was presided by Bishop Arulappan Amalraj of Ootacamund diocese. A moving homily was given by Fr. Maria Joseph.
At the end of the mass a Homage meeting was held in which Bishop S. Singaroyan of Salem represented the Governing Council Bishops of St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary paid rich tributes to Fr. K. J. Thomas. He said, “Real culprits behind the killing of Fr. K. J. Thomas should be brought to book. Truth should come-out and justice should prevail in this case. The council of bishops will extend its fullest cooperation to the investigating officials in all manner to establish truth” he said.
Bishop Thomas Aquinas of Coimbatore while condoling the death said,“ Fr. K. J. Thomas is a martyr, a living saint, joined the team of saints. His life is an example, he moved with all in a very friendly way, he had no enemies. He would have forgiven his enemies who indulged in this dastardly attack” he said.
Msgr. A. Antonysamy, Vicar General of Ootacamund diocese said, “ Fr. KJT had the blessings to die as a martyr. He was a renowned theologian, will guide the church through his writings” he said.
Fr. Royappa of St. Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore said, “if the seminarians were there, this gruesome death would have not taken place, Fr. KJT is an erudite priest, loved by all, a wonderful gift from God” he said.
Fr. Antonysamy, Rector of St. Mary’s Basilica, Bangalore said, “we lost a gentleman priest, his blood will purify the St. Peter’s Seminary” he said.
Canonist Eugine Newman Joseph, a faculty at St. Peter’s Seminary shared his thoughts, “I admire Fr. KJT’s simplicity, humility and exuberance. Though he was in danger when the unidentified persons attacked him, he never betrayed any one of the priests in the seminary. His noble soul will inspire and guide us, in the years to come” he said.
On behalf of the Clergy, Religious and the laity of Ootacamund diocese Bishop Arulappan Amalraj expressed his shock and disbelief that Fr. K. J . Thomas is murdered brutally in Bangalore. He said “ It is a cold- blooded murder, an innocent, kind hearted, soft spoken priest like Fr. K. J. Thomas has to meet his end in a gruesome way.
Bishop Amalraj in a very sorrowful mood appealed to all concerned, “Though motive behind the murder is yet to be ascertained, we demand a thorough investigation. The killing of Fr. Thomas is not a murder for gain but a premeditated vendetta, when all the seminarians, staff vacated for summer holidays, this cowardly act is done” he said. Further he asked the authorities, “we trust the Police personnell of Karnataka state will look into all angles of the murder and establish the truth, whereby justice will be done to the departed soul”. Bishop Amalraj assured all the support and cooperation to the investigating officials.