By Thomas Scaria
Mangaluru, May 14, 2025: A priest of the archdiocese of Trichur in Kerala was on May 14 found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room in the presbytery.
Father Leo Puthoor was the parish priest of St Joseph’s Church, Pathiyaram, in Thrissur district in the southern Indian state.
A circular from the archdiocesan vicar general Father Jaison Koonanplackal said the reason for the 34-year-old priest’s death was not known. The incident has saddened the diocese and the priest’s family, the vicar general added.
“The funeral service will be announced later, after the legal procedures have been completed,” the circular said.
According to various news sources, the sacristan came to the church at noon to ring the bell. He found the priest’s room locked from inside. As there was no answer from inside, he informed the trustees and one of them opened the window and found the priest hanging from the ceiling fan.
The church staff and locals informed the Erumapetty police station.
Father Puthoor, who had chosen “To be with Him and to be sent out” (Mk. 3.14) as his motto at the time of his ordination on December 26, 2018, was on his first assignment as a vicar at Pathiyaram.
The native of Perincheri village, Father Puthoor came to Pathiyaram on October 22, 2024.
Very sad. We are witnessing unabated suicides (?) in Kerala. Earlier there were nuns. Now priests too have followed suit.