MUMBAI (UCAN): The Jesuits in India have sought prayers for jailed 84-year-old confrère Father Stan Swamy after he tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) at the Holy Family Hospital.
Father Swamy was moved to the hospital from Taloja Central Jail on May 28 following a court order after his health deteriorated (Sunday Examiner, June 6). He has been detained since 9 October 2020.
“We appeal to everyone to pray for the speedy recovery of Father Swamy, who is now suffering from Covid-19 apart from other sicknesses,” said Father A. Santhanam, a Jesuit lawyer based in Tamil Nadu state who is monitoring Father Swamy’s case.
“We are informed that Father Swamy is now a Covid-19 patient, but no other details of his health are disclosed. We can now only pray for his speedy recovery and good health,” Father Santhanam said, adding that that the Jesuits are“very much concerned.”
Media reports quoted prison officials as saying that Father Swamy was vaccinated on May 18. However he also suffers from Parkinson’s disease, hearing impairment and other age-related ailments that require him to seek help even going to the toilet.
Father Santhanam said also needs help eating and drinking, while nearly eight months in jail has caused his health to deteriorate.
In the second week of May, Father Swamy’s family members tried to get him released on grounds that he had contracted Covid-19 and was unable to even speak to his lawyers.
