100 CSI monks contract Covid after Munnar retreat, two die

Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 100 Church of South India (CSI) monks have been reportedly contaminated with Covid-19 after they attended the annual retreat at Munnar final month. Sadly, two of the monks have died and 5 others are mentioned to be in a critical situation. Among the contaminated is CSI moderator and bishop of South Kerala diocese Rev A Dharmaraj Rasalam, who’s in residence quarantine. Sources within the church mentioned the pandemic protocol was violated in the course of the retreat.

The annual retreat, a convention of monks and group members, was held from April 13 to 17 at CSI Christ Church in Munnar. As many as 350 monks from varied church buildings attended the meet. Sources mentioned the retreat was held regardless of requests to postpone the occasion, and the monks have been warned of disciplinary motion in the event that they didn’t attend. The monks had travelled to Munnar from LMS Church in Thiruvananthapuram in a bus, sources mentioned.

The deceased monks are Rev Bijumon, 52, and Rev Shine B Raj, 43. Bijumon, who was the vicar of CSI church, Kazhukode, close to Vattappara, died final Thursday. Shine B Raj, who was the vicar of CSI church, Punnakkamugal, close to Thirumala, breathed his final on Tuesday. His funeral was held later within the day.Many of the contaminated monks are underneath therapy at Dr Somervell CSI Medical College Hospital at Karakonam and a few are in residence therapy.

Hospital authorities refused to remark when contacted however a senior physician, on situation of anonymity, mentioned not one of the contaminated monks are in a crucial situation. “There were a few serious cases and they are recovered now,” he mentioned.Jacob Mathew, secretary of Church of South India Trust Association and member of the Joint Christian Council, alleged that the retreat was organised ignoring the instructions of the federal government and council.

“The annual retreats of Central Kerala diocese and Kochi diocese were also scheduled last month and they were postponed due to a surge in Covid cases. But CSI South Kerala held the retreat secretly at Munnar without informing the government. As per the government instructions, only 50 people are allowed in a conference. But here all safety guidelines went for a toss,” he alleged.

Retreat held adhering to protocol: Church official

Jacob additionally shared the problem in a Facebook put up. Though a gaggle of social staff despatched a grievance to Chief Secretary V P Joy every week in the past, no motion has been taken to this point.Rev Dharmaraj refused to remark as he was in residence quarantine. T T Praveen, secretary of South Kerala diocese of CSI, mentioned the an infection was not unfold from the retreat. He mentioned some vested pursuits are indulging in a destructive marketing campaign in opposition to the church. 

“The retreat was organised adhering to protocol and we had got permission from the government. It is true that some of the priests have tested positive. But it has been proven that the infection was not spread from that conference. Two priests died due to the various diseases they had been suffering from. It is evident that it is the propaganda by anti-CSI lobbies to defame the Church, which is going to hold polls in the coming months,” he mentioned.

A priest who attended the retreat and subsequently examined constructive mentioned a minimum of 30 monks had been hospitalised.  “A few others have recovered and discharged,” he instructed TNIE. Thiruvananthapuram DMO Okay S Shinu mentioned the well being division couldn’t take motion because the convention was held final month and that too in Idukki. “We can’t do anything. It was held last month. The action had to be recommended and taken at that time if any violation was reported. Moreover, I can’t take action as the retreat was not held under my jurisdiction,” he mentioned.