The body of a 38-year-old Catholic priest, who was apparently tortured before being killed, has been found in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.The slain priest was identified as Fr Thomas Pandippallyil, a member of Carmelite of Mary Immaculate.
Fr Pandippallyil was apparently killed while he was coming on his motorbike to conduct the Sunday Mass in Yellareddy area in Nizamabad district late on August 16, reported the Indian Catholic News Service.
Fr Pandippallyil’s legs and hands had been crushed and eyes pierced with a sharp object.
Fr Pandippallyil had conducted the Saturday Mass in a church in Burgida village. He reportedly stayed in the village during the day, and started in the night for Yellareddy village, where he was to conduct the Sunday Mass.
When Fr Pandippallyil did not show up, the sisters of the church started looking for him.
But only his body was found.
The burial will take place on August 20.
The police have registered a case, but no one has been held responsible for the murder.
Sections of the Christian community suspect that Fr Pandippallyil was killed for his service to the poor and the marginalised, as he was an active social worker.
Involvement of Hindu extremists cannot be ruled out either, as the state has earlier witnessed brutal murders of Christian workers for preaching the gospel.
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