MARGAO
With no respite from the rising number of Covid deaths, some of the parishes are looking for gravediggers to give the dead a decent burial.
Some of the gravediggers have returned home to their native states, mostly the southern state of Tamil Nadu, leaving some of the parish priests to engage part-time diggers or seek help from neighbouring parishes.
The rising number of Covid deaths has also raised questions about whether the gravediggers or those helping to lay to rest the mortal remains are adequately protected by PPE kits.
Information revealed that a couple of gravediggers attached to the local parishes, who had gone to their native states, have not returned.
In times of the pandemic, the absence of the gravediggers has been felt on the ground. Parish priests have been left with no option but to engage some local labourers to do the job of the gravediggers.
Sunday saw the parish priest of Trinity Church, Benaulim, Fr Rocklyn D’Costa engaging a group of local labourers from Paroda village in Salcete taluka. The grave digger attached to the church has gone home to his native state of Tamil Nadu and is yet to resume duties. “I had engaged the four temporary labourers since our gravedigger has gone home. If he does not come, I will have to avail the services of the gravediggers from the neighbouring parishes,” Fr Rocklyn said.
Episcopal Vicar South Goa, Fr Lucio Dias, said though some of the gravediggers attached to the parishes in South Goa have gone to their natives, the respective parishes have managed the situation. “The gravediggers may not have returned because of lack of transport in view of the lockdown,” he said.
Taking cognizance of the fact that the gravediggers are also front-line warriors in the battle against Covid, Fr Lucio has favoured making provision for PPE kits for them.
“It is important that we ensure that the gravediggers are protected while discharging their duties. I will ask the parishes to procure PPE kits for the gravediggers. Either good Samaritans can come forward to offer the PPE kits or the respective parishes can use the Good Samaritan fund to procure the kits for the gravediggers,” Fr Lucio said.
