Remembering Pope Saint Sixtus II: A Martyr of the Christian Faith
Four Catholic Bishops from the UK have called for the immediate release of Fr. San Swamy SJ from prison in India.
Fr. Swamy, 84, a Jesuit priest and a human rights activist, has been languishing in an Indian jail since October 20. Indian authorities have accused him of being a terrorist.
Fr. Swamy has Parkinson disease and the Bishops are concerned about his health.
“I would like to assure you of my prayers – you are remembered every day. Your work with the marginalised Dalit and Adivasi communities is an inspiration to all of us and a courageous stand for justice.” Rt. Rev. Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton and Chair of the Bishops’ Conference International Affairs Department said.
Bishop Lang, also a Parkinson sufferer, wants authorities to ensure Father Swamy has access to his medicine.
“As someone who also suffers from Parkinson’s, I understand your need for medication – the absence of which makes life very difficult and can make one feel very vulnerable,” he said.
Rt. Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford and Chair of CAFOD, the Church’s international aid and development charity, said, “Let us pray for Fr Stan Swamy – for his courage and strength in enduring such injustice… but let us also pray for his captors. We ask that they may begin to glimpse the wrong that they inflict on Fr Stan – help them to recognize the injustice in their actions and guide them to the truth.”
Rt. Rev Paul McAleenan, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees said, “For many, many years Fr Swamy has been campaigning on behalf of those who are denied justice, speaking for them, calling for their fair and just treatment under the law… It is now time for us to do what Fr Swamy has been doing for years and demand justice for him.”
Reading a Psalms from Scripture, Rt Rev Paul Swarbrick, Bishop of Lancaster reiterated, “I cannot recall Christ ever giving up on his care for the poor. Fr. Stan is committed and determined to defend the rights of the indigenous people. He will not rest, he will not walk away or allow them to be robbed.
“Fr. Stan I thank you for your faith and your determination.”