Fr. Stan Swamy's Funeral At Noon In Bandra Church; People Requested To Attend Mass Online Due To Covid Protcols

Bombay Catholic Sabha Vice-President Robert D'Souza called for a large presence to honour the late priest's memory and express solidarity with the departed social leader.

Father Stan Swamy (Source: PTI)

Mumbai: The funeral of Jesuit priest and human rights activist, Father Stan Lourduswamy who passed away on Monday, will be conducted at a Bandra church on Tuesday afternoon. Fr. Stan Swamy, 84, who was suffering from multiple health issues died in a private hospital while in the custody of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). 

Church officials said a special memorial mass shall be held at the St. Peter's Church, Bandra, but owing to Covid protocols only 20 mourners shall be permitted.

According to IANS report, Father Frazer Mascarenhas informed that the Priests of the Society of Jesus (SJ) have urged people to view the mass online on the YouTube channel of St. Peter's Church, Bandra, from 12 noon onwards. Bombay Catholic Sabha Vice-President Robert D'Souza called for a large presence to honour the late priest's memory and express solidarity with the departed social leader.

Fr. Stan was awaiting bail from the Bombay High Court, but it didn't materialise.

A renowned tribal rights activist, Father Stan was arrested and chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged role in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence and links to the Communist Party of India (Maoist).  The cleric was the sixteenth person to be arrested in the case, in which people have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the anti-terror law UAPA.

The activist-priest's death evoked a global outpouring of anger, shock and sympathy on social media targeting the Central government, the judiciary and others for the delay in granting him bail despite his advanced age and frail health.

The tribal rights activist was admitted to the private hospital on May 29 from the Taloja prison following the HC's order on a petition filed by him, seeking medical attention as he was then suffering from COVID-19 and Parkinson's disease.