ALAPPUZHA: Dramatic scenes unfolded at the St Mary’s Forane Church, Pallipuram in Cherthala, where Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara was laid to rest, when a group of faithful objected to the presence of the four nuns who had spearheaded the protest against Jalandhar Bishop Franco.
Faithful asked Sr Anupama, who was at the forefront of protest in Kochi, to leave the church office when she tried to interact with mediapersons. Clearly harried by the sudden turn of events, Sr Anupama broke down and said she always stood for truth. “I am a member of this parish. I’ve known Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara for several years. He was dear to all of us and had taught us many lessons. He had faced severe mental stress. He treated me as his daughter. I don’t know why some people are speaking against me,” she said.
Sr Anupama, along with Sr Neena, Sr Ancita, and Sr Ancy from the Kuruvilangad convent, had visited Fr Kuriakose’s house and later reached the church for the funeral service. “Only three or four people had issues with us being there and they made a scene,” said Sr Anupama. Earlier, Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was found dead at St Mary’s Church in Dasuya, Jalandhar, was laid to rest at church. The funeral service was led by the apostolic administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese Bishop Jacob Manathodath.
His body was brought to his ancestral home in the morning to allow relatives and public to pay homage.
Later, around 1 pm, his body was taken to St Mary’s Forane church. A large number of people attended the funeral service at the church.