Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council is reportedly planning a protest against the action being taken against various Christian hospices including St. Joseph’s Hospice which has been accused of harvesting the bones and organs of the elderly.
Newspapers allege that the NGO allegedly used to beat its sick inmates and harvested the bones from their dead bodies. It was also alleged that it sold the organs and bones to other countries.
After the allegations came out, the administration started a process to shift the senior citizens “sheltered” in the hospice. It was also claimed that it would close the hospice. The main reason given was that the hospice operated without a licence.
As reported in The Hindu, The Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council has decided to stand by St. Joseph’s Hospice and its founder Father R. V. Thomas, days after the NGO was reported to be on the verge of closing.
Father S.J. Anthonysamy, vicar general Madras-Mylapore archdiocese, requested priests to inform their parishes during Sunday Mass about the protest. It also asked the priests to encourage their parishioners to participate in the protest.
The protest was supposed to be held on March 5 near the State Guest House at Chepauk, Chennai. It was being jointly organized with the Diocese of Chingleput. The deputy secretary of general of Tamil Nadu Bishops council claimed that Father Thomas was doing humanitarian work and there was a need for the “truth” to come out.
The Pioneer newspaper which has also reported on the matter has claimed that the Tamil Nadu government has cracked down on other unauthorized institutions that has prompted the Church’s objection. This was reportedly the Church’s first protest march since 2002, when they had opposed an anti-religious conversion law.
(Source: opindia)