GUMLA (UCAN): Bishop Paul Alois Lakra, the 65-year-old Catholic bishop of Gumla, Jharkhand state, India, died of the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on June 15, more than a month after he tested positive for the virus and was admitted to the Constant Lievens Hospital in the state capital of Ranchi.
More than 520 priests and nuns have died of Covid-19 in India. At least 270 priests, nine religious brothers and 252 nuns had died from the virus as of June 15, according to a list prepared by Capuchin Father Suresh Mathew, editor of the Church-run Indian Currents weekly.
“Covid-19 positive cases in India have drastically declined in June. However, deaths due to infection are still on the high side,” Father Mathew, who closely monitors the pandemic situation, said. The priest took on the documenting of Covid-19 deaths of Catholic priests, brothers and nuns, after dioceses and religious congregations began to report the deaths of clerics.
“The death toll would go up further if we added those who died of post-Covid complications, which we have not done,” Father Mathew said.
“Many priests and nuns, just like several others, also die after having Covid-19-negative certificates. Such deaths are a matter of serious worry for all of us,” he said.
Attending funerals is also turning out to be dangerous as illustrated by the deaths of Divine Word Father Gregory Ekka and his sister, nun Josephine Ekka, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary of Angel.
Father Ekka may have contracted the virus during his pastoral duties, which included funerals. Sister Ekka attended the funeral of her father in Odisha state and soon became ill and died. Father Ekka could not attend the funeral as he was already sick by then.
“The pandemic has destroyed many families and we can only pray for the mercy of God to keep us all safe as many continue to die in post-Covid treatment as well,” Father Mathew said.
A Church official said Bishop Lakra’s death has shocked people because he died despite receiving the best medical care for almost a month.
His health began to deteriorate on May 17 and he was moved to a specialised private hospital in Ranchi for better care, the official said.
“The medical team there tried their best but the prelate breathed his last at 1.30am on Tuesday,” he added.
Other bishops who succumbed to Covid-19 include Bishop Basil Bhuria of Jhabua, retired Bishop Joseph Pastor Neelankavil of Sagar and Archbishop Antony Anandarayar of Pondicherry-Cuddalore.
