By Jessy Joseph
New Delhi: A Fransalian priest remained critical on September 20 following a head surgery two days after he and another priest met with a road accident in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
“We have asked special prayers for” Father Nagothu Sampath, said Fransalian Father P Bala Sundar Rao, principal of St Francis De Sales’ School in Tanuku of Eluru diocese.
Fathers Sampath and confrere Konka Shekhar were going for house blessings when their bike hit with a truck September 18 near Vijayawada, Father Rao said.
Bother priests were rushed to Manipal Hospital in Vijayawada where Father Sampath’s condition was critical as he had received severe head injuries. Father Shekhar had received minor wounds with the skin of his left arm peeled off.
A video that has gone viral on social media shows Father Sampath lying unconscious on the road with blood oozing from his head. A dazed Father Sekhar was seen seated on the sidewalk trying to explain to onlookers.
They are members of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales or Fransalians.
“It is a miracle that Father Sampath is alive today,” Father Rao told Matters India on September 20 over phone.
Father Sampath was ordained on April 8 this year and Father Sekhar 16 days later. Both now serve as assistant priests in the Nuna parish of Vijayawada diocese.