By Matters India Reporter
Shillong: The rector of a leading Catholic major seminary in northeastern India, who was injured in a road accident two days ago, remains critical.
Father James Poonthuruthil, rector of Sacred Heart Theological College in Shillong, was injured after his vehicle rammed into a stationary truck in Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya state. The former head of the Salesians’ Dimapur province was on his way to Guwahati in Assam.
“In general we may say that the condition of Fr. James remains critical. So prayers are the only thing we can do right now,” says Father Barnes Mawrie, a professor at the theological college in an appeal to Salesians.
The 63-year-old priest is now undergoing treatment at NEIGRIHMS (North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences) in Shillong, capital of Meghalaya state. Doctors on January 16 said his condition remained critical despite his blood pressure becoming normal.
On January 15, the doctors conducted a surgery to remove a part of the priest’s skull to treat the brain, and prevent it from swelling and from stop hemorrhages. They removed a blood clot and cleaned remains of bleeding. The bleeding was under control, the doctors said.
“Fr. James in a semi-consciousness and on ventilation. We know there are many people, priests, religious and lay persons who are praying for his recovery. Thanks to each one of them and let us continue to storm heaven for this singular grace,” Fr Mawrie’s appeal says.
Meanwhile, the northeasttoday.com reported that the reason behind the accident was yet to be ascertained. The police have launched a probe.