Catholic priest reported missing, another dies of heart attack, in Vanni

[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 May 2009, 16:42 GMT]
Former principal of St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph, aged seventy, who had been serving in Vanni with six other priests in Puthumaaththa’lan is reported missing, according to the request made to ICRC by Jaffna Bishop House to find his whereabouts, Thursday. Meanwhile, one of the six priests, Rev. Fr. Mariampillai Thatheus Sarathjeevan, 41, died of heart attack while leaving Vanni with the last badge of civilians fleeing Vanni, Jaffna Bishop House sources said.

Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph, a native of Ku’langkaaladi area in Mallaakam, has been also serving as the president of North East Education Development Committee before dedicating his rest of his life serving the people in Vanni.

Meanwhile, only five of the six priests serving with Rev. Francis Jospeh have reached Vavuniyaa while Rev. Fr. Mariampillai Thatheus Sarathjeevan died on the way on 18 May.

Though Jaffna Bishop House had tried to bring the remains of Rev. Fr. Sarathjeevan to Jaffna through A9 route, Defence Ministry had refused permission.

Rev. Fr. Sarathjeevan is a native of Jaffna town.

Hundreds of people attended the mass held in Jaffna St. Mary’s church known as Periya Koayil, in memory of Rev. Fr. Sarathjeevan.