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”? T
he 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.)
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”? T
he 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.)
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The Report of the Funeral of the Martyr Priest
Fr. Thomas Pandippally CMI
Bellampalli: (Adilabad District): 20/08/08 People began to flow in to the Bellampally Provincial House to pay the last respect to their beloved martyr priest Rev. Fr. Thomas Pandippally, who underwent a gruesome murder under the hands of unidentified attackers on the 16th of August 2008. 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. The crime done on this innocent man is intolerable and the evil elements in the society at large, are overlooked and the culprits escape easily. In such a bizarre situation, this was the only immediate means found to respond to this incident. The rally started at 9.30am from St. Mary’s School Bellampalli.
A large number of Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters from various parts of the country, school teachers, students and the faithful together with the family members of Fr. Thomas Pandippally, took part in the protest rally. They walked in a completely peaceful manner wearing black badges. Many were holding black flags and meaningful and thought provoking placards. The rally halted at the Caltex, Bellampalli. 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. All the speakers denounced violence, extolled the contribution of the fathers and sisters in the field of education and the up-liftment of the downtrodden and the need of non-violence and peace. Mr. Ananda Rao, the Assistant Taluk
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.
After the halt, the rally proceeded back to Ballampally Provincial house, where the funeral was to be conducted. The rally reached the provincial house by 10.45 am.
The funeral related functions started without delay. His Grace Abraham Viruthukulangara, the Archbishop of Nagpur , Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, The CMI Prior General and Rev. Fr. Solomon Thumma, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad , expressed their deep condolence. Most of them insisted that, Fr. Thomas has become a martyr for us in heaven. Rev. 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.
The first phase of the funeral was presided over by Rev. Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, the Prior General of CMI congregation. The funeral Mass started immediately, led by Archbishop Abraham Viruthukulangara. In the place of, ‘the main celebrant kissing the Holy Bible’, it was taken to the dead body, for a symbolic kissing by Fr. Thomas Pandippally. The Epistle was read in Telugu.
Rev. Fr. Mathew Kaniamparampil, the Rector of Carmel Vidya Bhavan, made the funeral sermon. He was the novice master of Fr. Thomas and knew him for the past 20 years. He explained the way everyone including the parishioners of Pune, Carmel Vidya Bhavan, was shocked at the death of this great martyr. Of such great caliber, dynamism, holiness, creativity, humility and spirit of poverty was Fr. Thomas. He underlined the cheerfulness and spirit of prayer exhibited by Fr. Thomas. He said that the parents had inculcated such good qualities in the young priest. Fr. Thomas was good in music and possessed many other talents which he utilized, for the up-liftment of the poor and glorification of God. Fr. Mathew thanked the mother and relatives for bringing up ‘Kunjumon’ - young child in such a good way. He praised the heroic attitude of them in taking up such a difficult situation in full compliance with the will of God.
As the Holy Mass got over, the third part of the funeral ceremony started, led by Rev. Fr. Prior General. He was crowned with a floral ring, which was a sign of being crowned in heaven by Fr. Alex, Provincial of Mar Thoma Province of Chanda. 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”.
As a symbol of the Church and the CMI Province bidding farewell to Fr. Thomas, the Provincial Fr. Alex Thannippara, kissed the coffin. Then fathers and relatives offered floral tributes. During this time, Fr. Alex Thannippara, expressed his thanks to all who had come to pay the last respects to Fr. Thomas. Rev. Fr. Mankulam, a close relative of Pandippally family expressed heart felt thanks to all present, on behalf of the family.
At the end of the second part of the funeral ceremony, the coffin was taken by the batch mates (fathers) to the main door of the church. There the relatives received it to be carried to the cemetery. During this procession, the choir again sang heart rending, meaningful songs while the congregation in great sorrow and pain carried the mortal remains of the Martyr Priest to the tomb in two lines.
The third and final part of the funeral service was presided over by the CMI Prior General, Rev. Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil. The body was laid to rest after all paid floral tributes. The functions got over by 2.30 pm. Many people from Yellareddy, Lingampet, Kamareddy and other dioceses took part in the functions. About 1000 people took part in the service of which about 500 were Priests and Sisters. All were filled in with the great feeling of a ceremony that is extraordinarily awesome and divine. All had the feeling that they had paid tribute to a Martyr Priest, the First in the History of Andhra Pradesh.
After all, an innocent and beloved person was killed for no reason. Definitely, he shed the last drop his blood. 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.
sent by Fr Jose Poovattil CMi originally from Thomas Chittettu CMI
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