By Matters India Reporter
Mangaluru, Nov 4, 2019: Members of a parish in the southern Indian state of Karnataka are planning a mega protest on November 5 to demand a probe into the alleged suicide of Father Mahesh D’Souza.
The protest in Our Lady of Health Church in Shirva under Udupi diocese began as flash stir on November 2 evening. It continued for the second day and was called off after Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi addressed the gathering.
However, the parishioners were not happy with the prelate’s explanation.
Father D’Souza, the parish’s assistant pastor and principal of Don Bosco School attached to it, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room on October 12. He died the previous night. Police and others, including his family member, consider it as a suicide case.
On November 2 evening, tension prevailed at the church premises, after angry parishioners staged the flash protest, and questioned the parish priest over his assistant’s alleged suicide. The protesters did not budge even after the intervention of Nisha James, superintendent of police, Udupi, and religious leaders.
Bishop Lobo addressed the protesters at 10 am.
“We have decided to hold a silent mega protest on Tuesday, during which we will submit a memorandum or file a complaint with the police for a detailed probe to clear our doubts on Father Mahesh’s death,” said one of the unhappy parishioners who requested anonymity.
Father D’Souza, 36, hailed from Moodubelle, a village in the Udupi taluk of Udupi district. The village, some 60 km north of Mangaluru and 15 km southeast of Udupi, is known for its historically significant twin Shiva temples.
He was ordained on April 15, 2013 as the first priest of the Udupi diocese, which was created just seven months ago.