StanislausLourduswamy, popularly known as Fr Stan Swamy or just Fr Stan, an activist forthe rights of tribals and marginalised people, died on July 5 at the HolyFamily Hospital Mumbai. He was 84. He had been incarcerated under the draconianUAPA.
Fr Stan wasan accused but not convicted. In fact he wasn't even questioned and his casehad not even come up for hearing. Yet, even with his frail health, he wasdenied bail. His death is a blot on society. He did not deserve to die in thismanner. He was a saint of the poor and the underprivileged. I request CardinalOswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and ArchbishopFilipe Neri Ferrao, president of the CCBI, to push for the canonisation of FrStan Swamy by taking up his "Cause for Sainthood”, with the Holy Father inRome. We need to make a strong statement in support of Fr Stan.
