Priest murdered in Karnataka state

It is no doubt a somber mood for Christians in the southern state of Karnataka. A Catholic priest was found murdered today, July 30, at Belthangady of Dakshina Kannada district.

According to UCA News, a Catholic news agency, the naked body of Father James Mukalel, 39, was found on a roadside in the morning of July 30. The priest met with the tragic death when he was returning to his parish, after attending a funeral of one of his earlier parishioners.

Fr Thomas Kannankal, the diocesan social work director, was quoted saying that the death of the priest appears to be a clear case of murder. His body was found far from his motorbike and also it showed signs of suffocation.

According to the priest, the diocese had witnessed some violence against Christians in the past year. Police are inquiring them, he said.

An advocacy group, meanwhile, said it was "dismayed and shocked" by the brutal murder.

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) condemned the priest's murder and also called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.

"This is the 33rd incident of attacks against Christians in Karnataka in the year 2009," the Bangalore-based group said.

It said Rev. Tomy Mattom, the Chancellor of Belthangady Diocese, confirmed the murder was carried out in a systematic way without causing suspicion.

"GCIC urges the CBI to institute a thorough investigation of the murder of Catholic Priest James Mukalel and all other attacks of Christians in Karnataka," it voiced.