Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kollam (Agenzia Fides) - "The two fishermen killed in the incident where Italian soldiers are involved were both Christians from Moothakara. The family of one of them lives in our diocese of Quilon. With Bishop, Mgr. Stanley Roman, we went to give the family our condolences, overwhelmed with grief. It is a tragedy for our small community, where fishing is the primary means of subsistence " says to Fides Fr. John Jerry Issac, Chancellor of the Diocese of Quilon, the ancient name of Kollam. The incident happened off the coast of the port of Kollam on February 15 where the Italian oil tanker "Enrica Lexie" and the two Italian soldiers on board were involved, accused of killing two local fishermen on a fishing boat, mistaking them for pirates. The two who were killed were Ajesh Binki 25 and Jalastein 45, both natives of Tamil Nadu but residing in Kerala. Kerala is the Indian state with the highest percentage of Catholics (more than 20%) and is home of the new Indian Cardinal, His Exc. George Alencherry Em, as well as the heart of the Catholic community of the Syro-Malabar Church.
Fr. Issac told Fides that "the community is very upset, because this is not the first incident in which local fishermen have been victims: victims in several cases in recent months of large commercial vessels. This is why public opinion expresses its strong demand for justice to the civil authorities. One does not want this episode to remain unpanished". On the other hand, notes the priest, "in front of our coasts piracy is widespread: it is much more elsewhere."
Fr. Issac emphasizes a danger: "There is a risk, on the other hand, that some political leaders want to exploit the incident for propaganda purposes, given that in the coming months there will be elections in the state. As a local Church, we hope all the procedures are carried out within the respect of the law and justice, to render good service to the truth". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2012)
