Various groups and individuals remembered the work for justice of Indian Jesuit priest Stanislaus Lourduswamy, popularly known as Stan Swamy, on the occasion of his death anniversary on Tuesday, July 5.
In the Indian capital New Delhi, intellectuals and collaborators of the late priest recalled his mission to empower the poor at a function organized by the Federation of Catholic Associations of the Archdiocese of Delhi.
In Jamshedpur, Bishop Telesphore Bilung led a memorial Mass, while in Ranchi, the state capital, civil society organizations, rights groups and political parties held a “March for Justice.”
Stan Swamy, 84 and suffering from Parkinson’s disease, died on July 5, 2021, at Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai’s Bandra suburb while in custody.
He was arrested on October 8, 2020, on terror charges from Bagaicha, his residence in Namkum near Ranchi.
In Kolkata, capital of neighboring state of West Bengal, Jesuit Father Felix Raj, vice chancellor of St Xavier’s University, said Father Stan Swamy “took the risk of sacrificing his life” for the people.
“Today, we are remembering the cause for which he lived and died …. We want to send out a message to our brothers and sisters, that we remember an apostle like [Father Stan],” said Father Raj.
He said Father Swamy was not alone because “there are many people who suffer for a greater cause.”
“We want to send out a message that we stand for justice, we stand for peace,” said the priest.
“We must remember his pain and suffering. We must not forget the institutional murder,” said Debesh Das, a university professor.
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