By Manju Devarapalli
Hyderabad, Sept 2, 2020: Scores of people on September 2 joined a sit-in before a regional seminary in Hyderabad to protest reinstatement of three priests who were suspended four years ago for alleged criminal activities.
“Why are the bishops silent on this matter?” asks Pulugujju Suresh, the founder director of People’s Action Forum for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity that organized the sit-in in front of St. Johns Reginal Seminary in the capital city of Telangana state in southern India.
The protest was held as the members of the Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Council gathered at the seminary for a three-day conference starting September 2.
The protesters condemned the July 7 decision of Bishop Gali Bali, apostolic administrator of Cuddapah, to reinstate Fathers Nalladimmu Raja Reddy, Lingala Vijaymohan Reddy and Sanivarappu Marreddy. The three were jailed for their alleged pre-planned attack on Gallela Prasad, the former bishop of Cuddapah diocese.
The attacked took place on April 24, 2016, when Gallela Prasad was returning from a religious function at Karunagari in Kadapa district. Kadapa (the current name of Cuddapah) is some 425 km south of Hyderabad. Gallela Prasad was blindfolded and beaten with his hands tied behind his back.
Gallela Prasad, a member of the Dalit community, on May 21, 2016, suspended the three upper caste Reddy priests.
However, on December 10, 2018, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Gallela Prasad from the pastoral care of the diocese. He was facing a criminal complaint for allegedly misappropriating diocesan funds to lead a luxurious life with his alleged wife and son.
The Pope appointed Bishop Bali, retired bishop of Guntur, as the apostolic administrator of Cuddapah.
Bishop Bali reinstated the three priests, who are out of bail, and gave them parishes.
“Can the suspended priests be reinstated while their criminal cases are pending in the court?” Suresh asks.
The lay leader also points out that the bishops’ statement condemning the attack on Gallela Prasad came only on August 30, 2016, almost four months after the incident. Bishop Bali was one of the signatories of the condemnation.
The protesters demanded the immediate removal of Bishop Bali for what they allege was his indulgence in caste politics.
“Why is he so supportive to the priests now saying they face only allegation?” Suresh asks.
The protesters want the “criminal” priests removed from their parishes as their cases are still pending in the court.
Another demand is the installation of a bishop from the Madiga community that forms 80 percent of the Catholics and priests in Cuddapah diocese.
“The demands are simple and legitimate,” says K Elisha, regional secretary for the Commission for the Scheduled Caste and Backward Communities under the bishops of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states, who joined the protest.
Suresh wonders why only certain sections of society are favored for leadership in the Church. “Does not the Church that claims “oneness” favor the caste? Is it not unfortunate that the Reddys have “godfathers” who come to their rescue, no matter what?” he asks.
Bishop M D Prakasham of Nellore, chairman of the bishops’ council, has promised to inform the Vatican about the protesters’ demand, Suresh told Matters India.