Aid to the Church in Need Calls for Release of Indian Priest

An 83-year-old Indian Jesuit priest, Fr Stan Swamy, has been imprisoned by Indian authorities for a month and a half. The elderly priest has long been an advocate for the poor and marginalised of India.

By ACN Staff

Father Stan Swamy SJ. (Credit: Communications Hub JCSA)

On the 8th October, Fr Stan Swamy was arrested by Indian authorities and refused bail. He was accused of a variety of illegal activities, including being involved with Maoist terrorism. The 83-year-old priest suffers from Parkinson’s Diseases, so the decision to refuse him bail is particularly puzzling and cruel. While in custody Fr Swamy has been refused simple necessities such as a straw for drinking to help deal with his illness during his time of imprisonment.

Aid to the Church in Need’s executive president, Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern, has called on the Indian authorities to release Fr Swamy. Dr Heine-Geldern has also expressed his concern about the wider situation in India:

“many people are also suffering from the misuse of anti-conversion laws, which were enacted in eight Indian states to make forced conversions and conversions by “deceptive means” a punishable offense. For example, Christians in Jharkhand are often wrongfully accused of breaking these laws even though they have done nothing wrong except practising their faith. The objective here is to intimidate the opponents in land disputes, which frequently arise in the regions inhabited by indigenous tribespeople. We know cases of people who spent years in prison as a result of false charges, leading to the loss of their legal rights.”

Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern. (Credit: Irmina Nockiewicz)

Fr Swamy is just one of many priests and catechists in India, who have been persecuted by the government. Many of these priests and catechists have been active in ministry to the Adivasi people and the Dalits (untouchables).  Fr. Swamy for example was very active advocating on behalf of the indigenous Adivasi people in Jharkhand state, particularly for their land rights. This is one of the reasons the authorities in India have been target Catholic religious. The work of Fr Swamy in spreading the Gospel and advocating for the dispossessed is testimony to the beautiful work carried out by priests in spreading the Catholic Faith. Aid to the Church in Need, with the support of our benefactors, will continue to provide assistance to allow the Church to carry out her ministry and we will continue to advocate for all Christians imprisoned for their faith.