ASIA/INDIA - Donating organs is a service to God and humanity

Monday, 2 January 2017

Bombay (Agenzia Fides) - The 77-year old Bishop Agnelo Gracias, auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, has decided to donate his organs after death. This trend has grown tremendously in the Christian community: an increasing number of priests, religious and faithful are willing to donate their organs in the event of brain death. "I thought I would be of help to mankind, and I told my family my intention to donate organs after my death", explained the Bishop. "If someone can see through my eyes, or use my kidney to live longer, I think this would be a service to God", he added. As Fides learns, the Bishop has promoted the practice of organ donation by writing on local magazines to encourage the community, talking about it during liturgies and conferences. According to Gracias, it is important to increase awareness within the Christian community on how "one can serve God and humanity even after death".
In October 2014, Pope Francis spoke of organ donation as a "witness of love", and Bishop Gracias used these words to amplify the message, recalling that even the Archbishop of Mumbai Oswald Gracias, is an organ donor.
In 2016, there were 58 organ donations in Bombay which helped 91 patients with kidney failure, 58 cases of chronic liver disease and 34 patients with heart problems. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 02/01/2017)


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