Edinburgh: A post-mortem examination will be carried out on June 29 to ascertain the cause of death of Father Martin Xavier Vazhachira.
The Indian Catholic priest’s body found on a beach in Edinburgh on June 23, three days after he went missing. Although the autopsy was expected to be conducted two days ago, it is understood that availability of forensic experts delayed the procedure.
The information was conveyed to Father Tebin Puthenpurackal of the Carmelite of Mary Immaculate congregation from the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh. Father Puthepurackal has been delegated by the congregation to liaise with authorities on the repatriation of Fr Vazhachira’s body to Kerala. He was allowed to see the body of Fr Vazhachira earlier this week. He also denied reports that the priest’s body was decomposed and urged the media to be sympathetic with the family members who were pained by the unconfirmed reports.
It is understood that the body may not be flown to India before July 1.
Bishop Joseph Srampickal of the Syro-Malabar community of Great Britain will offer a Mass on July 29 in memory of Fr Vazhachira at the St. Catherine Church in Edinburgh. Several priests and other members of the Catholic community from all over UK are expected to attend.
Bishop Srampickal also had a meeting with Archbishop Leo William Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh diocese in Scotland to discuss the situation and offered all his help for the repatriation of Fr Vazhachira’s body to his home in Kerala.
Father Martin Xavier Vazhachira was a native of Pulincunnu parish of Changanacherry archdiocese in Kerala. He was ordained a priest in 2013. He arrived in Scotland in July 2016 in order to undertake post-graduate studies at Edinburgh University. He also served in local Catholic parishes, initially in Falkirk before being appointed to Corstorphine in October 2016.
His body was found on a beach in Dunbar, about 48 km from the parish, on June 23.