1st COVID-19 Victim Gets Dignified Burial at Cordel Church Cemetery by DBCLC
Mangaluru: A 67-year-old man from Kulshekar who died of COVID-19 got a dignified burial at the Cordel Cemetery here on July 18.
The 67-year-old man had suffered a stroke and pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. He was tested positive for the Coronavirus and was treated at the Intensive Care Unit. On July 18, he breathed his last without responding to treatment.
To take care of the final rites of COVID-19 victims, the Diocese of Mangaluru formed a Diocesan Laity commission headed by the Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Peter Paul Saldanha. Under the direction of the Bishop and Secretary Fr J B Crasta, DBCLC members Louis Pinto and Roy Castelino arranged for the final rites of the deceased. Under the supervision of Roy Castelino and Louis Pinto, the body was brought in a coffin from the Wenlock COVID Hospital to the Cordel Church Cemetery accompanied by the officials of the Health department and MCC.
According to the guidelines of DBCLC, the COVID-19 victim was buried in a dignified manner in the presence of his family members. The Assistant Parish priest blessed the body before the burial, and later the officials from the health department buried the body.
This is the first COVID-19 death to get a dignified and respectful burial at the Cordel Church Cemetary.
Speaking to mangalorean.com DBCLC member Roy Castelino said, “People are afraid of COVID-19, and they don’t come to help the family members carry out the final rites. In this connection, the Diocese of Mangaluru formed a Diocesan Laity commission and guidelines. Today we have got an opportunity to give a dignified burial to our brother at the Cordel Church Cemetery. People should not be frightened. The Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha is guiding us in carrying out the burial of COVID-19 victims in our community.”
Every person is a image and likeness of God the creator. As every body has the right to live a dignified life so also has a right for dignified burial . This is practically seen and actualized very much in and through the leadership of Our Beloved Bishop of Mangalore. Let the family feel our members are our own they deserve our care not only while living but even after death.
Joachim – Has the bishop done something extraordinary and out of the world? Isn’t the departed soul a Christian belonging to Cordel church? What else was the alternate? Once a COVID positive person dies, the virus inside that patient also dies.
Congratulations to the Bishop of Mangalore for taking such a bold decision and leading the flock given under your care in the right direction, and also being an example to all the people in general. The unscientific minded people in particular who dispose of the bodies of the dead as those of animals sometimes even in the worst manner.
Long live Rev Dr. PETER PAUL SALDHANA .
Thank you Rev Bishop for your noble act.