(26) God is their only refuge.

Five people seem to be under custody who may be the murderers of Fr Thomas. They do not reveal the reason for the heinous murder and utter desecration of the human body. Let us pray for their souls. “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17)

The persecuted Christians in Orissa seem to be in a neglected situation, violence and evil murderers still targeting the defenceless poor. God is their only refuge.

(25) A portrait of a martyr, are you in the picture?

Fr Thomas with his friends while studying theology in Pune.

(24) Memorial Mass for Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI

Fr. Thomas (Kunjumon) was born in Cheenkallel as the sixth of the seven children of his parents in the district of Kottayam on 12-7-1971. He joined the CMI Congregation in 1987 and made his first profession on 19-3-1992. After taking a bachelor degree in science from Christ College, Bangalore, he studied Philosophy at Darsana Philosophate, Wardha and Theology at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Poona. After his ordination in 2002 he taught at Jeevandan School at Yellareddy for three years until he was assigned as the Rector of Aspirants at Nazareth Bhavanam in Bellampalli. He returned to Yellareddy in April 2007 to become the Director of Jeevadan Centre, Parish Priest and Correspondent of Jeevadan School where he shed his blood at the hands of enemies.

To pray for Fr. Thomas as well as to seek his intercession we have a concelebrated Memorial Mass today at 10.30 am at the Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, Kakkanad. It is to be followed by a memorial gathering presided over by his Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Archbishop, our missionary bishops and other dignitaries. All the members of CMI Congregation as well as all others including priests, sisters and faithful are invited to attend the Memorial Mass as well as the gathering.

All who are not able to be present there physically can express our solidarity by saying a prayer and logging it in by clicking ‘vote’ in this blog.

(23) Murderers under custody . . .

It is a major relief for those who belonged to the community of Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI that some of his murderers were under police custody today.

Still the ambiguity remains. Why he is murdered? What is the motivation? Yet to know. We will wait for further details.

Thank you for your valuable prayers and support.
Please continue to pray that they may never commit an evil act again but know the love of God.
We will pray and wait . . .
This is the news sent by the Provincial House Community of Bellampalli, Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh.

(22) A portrait of a martyr, are you in the picture?

Young, Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI

Expect a story of this martyr's younger days, in pictures, in the coming days!

Write a comment about the photo in the comment box of this post

(21) ORISSA BURNING, BIHAR FLOODED- PRAYERS SOUGHT by JOYNET - A Jesus Youth Online Initiative

1. A Christian woman BURNT ALIVE
2. NUN RAPED
3. SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED
4. BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN
5. The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholichostel and tonsured their heads.
6. PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED
7. MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED
8. BHUBANESWAR BISHOP'S HOUSE ATTACKED
9. DUBURI PARISH
10. . . 11. . . . 12. . . . 13. . . .14. Muniguda Catholic RESIDENCES have been damaged.
15. . . . 16. . . 17. Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.
18. . . .19. . . . 20. . . . 21. Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up
22. . . . 23. . . . Pastors David, Pravin, Pradhan and Barik beaten up and chased away
24. Naktikani: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. Thegovernment has sent forces, it is reported.
[This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop's House,Bhubaneswar and other sources]
e-mail sent by Manoj Joseph JOYNET - A Jesus Youth Online Initiative
Read the details in the comment of this post . . .

(20) Fear of more attacks in India

Alarm on new attacks: Suspected hard-liners set an orphanage run by Christian missionaries on fire in eastern India, today, killing one lady and seriously injuring a priest. Christian community needs to pray more, for the suffering Christian minority in India.
News from . . .
Fr Pandippally, help of the poor in India, intercede for those who are suffering in Orissa to the Father in Heaven.
Fr Pandippally, who suffered utmost violence, pray for us.
(Please write your intercessions to Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI in the comments)

(19) Fr. Thomas Pandippally: the First Martyr of the CMI Congregation

I am writing this letter with a heavy heart. . . . With the gruesome death of Fr. Thomas we have lost a young, holy, dynamic, dedicated, talented and committed priest. We have indeed lost one of the promising jewels of our Congregation. However, in the loving providence of God we have also gained a true martyr in heaven. . . .

Fr. Thomas literally shed his blood because of his commitment and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus. . . .After the terrible death of Fr. Thomas our missionaries as well as others in the surrounding area live in fear, and they all need our support especially in the form of prayers. Our heritage is that of St. Thomas the Apostle who had the courage to say, “let us also go and die with him” (John 11:16).

Hence, nobody can or will stop our mission of love . . . The history of the Church tells us that it was always through the blood of martyrs. . .

To pray for Fr. Thomas as well as to seek his intercession we will have a concelebrated Memorial Mass at 10.30 am on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, Kakkanad, (Kochi, Kerala, India). It will be followed by a memorial gathering presided over by his Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Archbishop, our missionary bishops and other dignitaries. All the members of our Congregation as well as all others including priests, sisters and faithful are cordially invited to attend the Memorial Mass as well as the gathering. . . .

I am happy to inform you that the CBCI and KCBC have declared, Sunday September 7, 2008 as prayer Day for missionaries in the context of the death of Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI.

Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, CMI

Prior General

Read the full eulogy by the Prior General on the demise of Fr Thomas in the comment . . .

(18) Archbishop Joseph Chennoth

Please accept my heartfelt condolences and sympathy. I prayed for the eternal rest of his soul. His selfless and dedicated life to the cause of evangelisation and integral human development was nipped in the bud. My prayerful union with all those who mourn his tremendous loss.
Archbishop Joseph Chennoth
Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania
Titular Archbishop of Milevum

Post 17 Did his mother sleep last night?

Today is Sunday, 24th of August 2008. A week has passed since the sisters found the mortal remains of Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI by the side of the road.

An Elegy about A Lamp
Did his mother sleep last night? Could his brothers and sisters take their mind off their beloved ‘Kunjumon’ last night? . . . (Scroll down below (to the end) to read the rest)

Post 16 Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad said

Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad said that Pandipally’s murder is also the result of what he called a climate of jealousy against the Catholic Church, whose workers, he said, are trying to help develop the abandoned rural areas of the country, and help those who are victims of violence and oppression. News from

Other similar brutal, mysterious murders around the area. . . . An anonymous letter was sent to a local newspaper claiming the murders were carried out by an organization called the Anti-Christian Forum. The letter promised further killings. . . . link to Read more

Fr George Moolayil said the murder was planned meticulously because the priest received a call on his mobile phone just before leaving the convent. . . . link to read more

please report similar incidents in the comment of this post if any reader of this blog has any event in mind. Indians are known for their peaceful life from centuries . . . do you want to comment on this?

Other related links: Vatican Radio, WEA - World Evangelical Alliance, Religious Intelligence
Photo of Fr Thomas from: Union of Catholic Asian News

Post 15 'TO WIPE THE TEARS OF THE POOR' was his life's motto.

I was his novice master and I knew him very intimately. . . I did not weep like this even when my father and mother died 15 years ago. . . some of his batchmates, especially, Fr. Tomy Layappilly, hugged me and wept loudly like a little child. . . . His was a versatile character. . . He concentrated all his attention to uplift the poor, TO WIPE THE TEARS OF THE POOR. That was his life’s motto. . . Of such great calibre, dynamism, holiness, creativity, humility was Fr. Thomas. . . . I admire his mother. I am sure, it was she who had inculcated such good qualities in this young priest “Kunjumon”. He led a heroic life, . . . See the rest in comments. (Excerpts from the funeral oration of his Novice Master Fr. Mathew Kaniamparampil CMI)

Mothers who lose their children Post 14

Fr Thomas’ Mother’s said, “Now I have a faithful son, who lived only for Christ and poor people, and who will intercede for me in heaven and for others. I am very much proud of him.”

Fr Thomas was director of Jeevadhan - meaning 'giving life' while he was murdered. He literally 'gave life' like his master. This may be the reason his own mother calls him a faithful son who was faithful to his call through and through.

Probably we have a second St. Thomas from India?

See comment . . .

a memento given by Fr Thomas Post 13

Fr. George Athappilly brought the memento given by Fr. Thomas Pandippally, 8 years ago. It was a towel on which it was written “To Wipe the Tears of Others”- which shows the outgoing and generous nature of Fr. Thomas, going an extra mile to help the people. . .
Please read the full report in the comment . . .

He was like a lute player among the people. Post 12

Prior to the funeral ceremony, the faithful, people, teachers and students of this area, organized a rally to show their grief, and to demand justice, in protest of the bestial and gruesome murder of Fr. Thomas at Lingampet. (Photos of this procession is seen here, writings in Telugu)

Many distinguished persons spoke on the occasion. The archbishop Abraham Viruthukulangara, Fr. Prince Panengadan, a priest of Adilabad Diocese, Fr. Mathew Kulampally, the Vicar Provincial of Mar Thoma Province of Chanda and Sreemathi Sreedevi, the local MLA and Mr. Ananda Rao, the Assistant Taluk Officer were among the speakers.

Officer of Utnoor asked, “As the fathers and sisters are giving new direction to the progress of the society, how can they be ill-treated and mercilessly manhandled like this”? The speakers also praised the unique personality that Fr. Thomas Pandippally was.

The most touching ceremony followed next. The batch mates carried the coffin and touched the altar and the 3 main doors, 3 times each, which symbolized the bidding farewell by Fr. Thomas to the chapel, where he was offering daily mass. During this time the choir sang, very meaningful and touching song which means, “I am bidding good bye to you, my altar, my chapel, my friend and my people”. . .
See comment for the rest. . .
(Fr Thomas Chittettu CMI who wrote this report is the secretary to the Provincial of Chanda Province of CMI.)

Post 11 Many of his batchmates and formators were seen breaking down in tears.

Hundreds of priests and a large number of people participated in the funeral ceremony. Fr. Thomas' beloved mother Saramma(as seen in the Photo beside the coffin) and brothers and sisters who were away in U.S.A. and Australia arrived in time. Archbishop Abraham of Nagpur was the main celebrant of the solemn requiem Mass.

. . . the miscreants, it is believed, removed his helmet and gave a fatal blow with a stone on his head.
. . . The Archbishop of Hyderabad calls FR. Thomas as the first martyr of Andhrapradesh. . .

(Please read the full report of Fr Mathew Kaniamparampil CMI in the comment of this post. Fr Mathew who wrote this report was the novice master of Fr Thomas. )

Funeral Photos Post 10

do not grieve for him . . . (Post 9)

Do not grieve for him…..grieve for us to go on without him.
Fr. Pandipally is automatically in Heaven with our Dear Sweet Lord. I remember reading that Martyrs have DIRECT entry into heaven. They have a very high place in heaven! He is forever in the company of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the Saints and Angels.

I have great faith that Jesus was there with him at this brutal and violent death. The Blessed Mother took him IMMEDIATELY to meet her Son. It is so hard to forgive his attackers, but we that we MUST DO. It is an act of the will, not of the emotions. May Jesus have Mercy on them!

“For the Sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
David Bradley

En Route to Celebrate Sunday Mass (Post 8)

The Carmelite had joined the Chanda mission of his order (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate - CMI) in 1987. He was ordained a priest in 2002. He was last seen alive by those same nuns who offered him dinner Saturday after he had celebrated Mass for them."

Father Thomas is a martyr: He sacrificed his life for the poor and marginalized," said Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad. "But he did not die in vain, because his body and his blood enrich the Church in India, particularly the Church in Andhra Pradesh -- the southeastern state where he died."

"The Church in India is shocked and deeply saddened by this barbarous killing, the result of a growing climate of intolerance and violence against Christians in this country," the 65-year-old archbishop added.Archbishop Joji contended that the crime is the result of "jealousy of the Catholic Church."

"Priests and nuns," he said, "have for decades been at the service of the least fortunate in India, and this makes them targets of forces of evil who do not want the marginalized and impoverished to become empowered."
(Sent by Pater Mathew Thelly C.M.I., Germany, originally from:
http://www.zenit.org/article-23400?l=english)

He died for us! RIP (Post 6)

May the soul of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.

Another martyr for India! (Post 5)

Dear Pandippally,
You had a calming effect when you were near. "Learn from me who is gentle and meek of heart"; Jesus Said.

We were on stage performing together, in Hamlet and St Thomas in Malayalam. Such a fine character, how could this happen to you?

Did you suffer a lot? What were the words you said when they attacked you mercilessly? Were you calm even then? Did you cry?

Fr Sony Sebastian Palathra CMI
An old seminary colleague

His Innocent Smile - An old friend's e-mail comment (Post 4)

Hi all,
I came to hear very bad news about Pandippally on today’s news! He was killed by extremists in Andra yesterday.
I remember of his innocent smile when Palathra introduced him to the trio me, Rony & Shiby. Let’s all condemn the brutal act and pray for the departed soul.
Regards,
Facil Jose (Facil.Jose@me.weatherford.com)

Revelations of a Cruel Murder. . . (Post 3)

A young priest dies at the hands of criminals

-After the memorial of the sacrifice on Calvary

He came to offer Holy Mass in the Burgida sub-station of Yellareddy parish (it is about 7 kms away from Lingampet). After the Holy Mass he joined for supper at the FCC convent. After the supper he left (9.40pm) the convent and was traveling in a motorbike towards Yellareddy.

-"Here is the man!" (John 19:4)

Next day the FCC Sisters (Sunday morning) were on their way to attend the Sunday Mass to his place at Yellareddy, Nizamabad Dt. of Andhra Pradesh. [This is located almost 140kms away from Hyderabad. This comes under the Archdiocese of Hyderabad.] To their great shock, on the way they found his body lying near the road side.

-"And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. " (Lk 23:34)

His mobile phone is found missing (the bike was found lying almost 7 kms away from the spot. There are visible signs of pulling and dragging Fr Thomas). There are 18 wounds (stabbing) on his body. All these clearly indicate that he was brutally murdered by some miscreants or dacoits. There is a heavy thrash behind the head, it is said, he must have died due to this heavy injury. Police found the knife, which was used to stab him. The hooligans took (may be ridden) the motorbike almost 7 kms and abandoned there, a place called Muslikonda.

-"For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Lk 23:29)

The Postmortem report reveals that he had faced a lot of struggle from the attackers. Due to the continuous blows and heavy beatings, his entire body is rather bruised. Left Leg was broken, and one hand was almost cut and broken. Fr. Thomas must have been attacked when he was just one km away from FCC Convent at Lingampet, where he offered Mass for them. It seems to be a plundering incident or a planned murder. Reasons are not yet known. (It is never an accident by the external evidences.)

After all an innocent and beloved person was killed for no reason. Kindly pray for him. We greatly miss a very dynamic and very able person. His dealing with people was very appealing and he was a friend of everyone. Village people had very high opinion about him. He was like a lute player among the people. He attracts everyone with his personality. He was a person who always smiles in spite of his sadness. He, definitely created a niche for himself, at all places, among everyone and at all times. The day of funeral most likely on the 20th of August as of now.
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Lk: 23: 34)

Exerpts from the e-mail of: Fr. Thomas T Chittettu CMISecretary to Fr. Provincial CMI PROVINCIAL HOUSE, BELLAMPALLI, AP, INDIA, as sent by Fr Jose Poovattil: jpoovattil@yahoo.co.uk

He was a committed religious, a zealous missionary, a good pastor a loving formator. (Post 2)

Tearful homage to Fr. Thomas Pandippally. We have received the shocking and most painful news of the death of our young missionary of Chanda Mission Province Fr. Thomas Pandippally, CMI. He was attacked and killed by unidentified persons while returning by motorcycle after celebrating Mass in a village near Yellareddy at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday, 16th August 2008. The body was found only today, Sunday morning.

Currently he was the Director of the Jeevadan Centre and Parish Priest of Yellareddy, coming under the Archdiocese of Hyderabad.

He was a committed religious, a zealous missionary, a good pastor a loving formator. He was also a very talented person, a good singer, and orator and an efficient organizer. His demise is an immense loss for the Province of Chanda and the whole CMI Congregation. We pay tearful homage to his revered and most affectionate memory. May his soul rest in peace.

Fr. Mathew Kaniamparampil, CMI, Rector & Community, along with our Parishioners, Carmel Vidya Bhavan, Pune. (from CMI World Group, originally from: kaniamp@sify.com)

Catholic Priest brutally murdered in Andhra Pradesh (Post 1)

Rev. Fr. Thomas Pandipally CMI (37) was gruesomely murdered on 16th of August, 2008. He must have died around 10.00 pm after the severe stabbing at the hands of the ‘unknown murders.’ He was on the way to Jeevadan Centre at Yellareddy, Andra Pradesh state in South India.

The tragedy occurred just two kms away from the FCC Convent, according to Fr. Thomas T Chittettu CMI, Secretary to Fr. Provincial of Mar Thoma Provincial House, Chanda, AP, who informed the CMI World Group.

As a dear friend who spent three years of my seminary life with Fr Thomas (as we call Pandippally) I grieve for him that such a good samaritan was murdered brutally in the hands of evil people: Fr Sony Palathra CMI, Ireland.