A shocking case of utter carelessness and negligence by Church authorities has surfaced in Kerala, resulting in 110 priests being infected with Covid, five of them in very serious condition and two succumbed to the deadly virus.

In gross violation to the Covid-19 norms, an annual retreat meet was held in Munnar by the Church of South India from April 13th to 17th where 350 priests attended the event from various parts of Kerala without wearing any masks and nor following any social distancing norms.

According to The Hindu, District Collector H. Dinesan came to know about the retreat meet only on Wednesday and the police was also unaware of the superspreader event. A report was sought from the Devikulam Sub-Collector. The Kerala police have now registered an FIR against the organisers of the event. A case would also reportedly be filed against the priests who attended the event throwing all cautions and all Covid protocols to the wind. The Organiser reports that the police is also going to file charges against the Church of South India moderator, A Dharmaraj Rassalam.

As per The Hindu report, the case came to light when a section of priests and followers sent a complaint on this superspreader event to the Chief Secretary.

The complaint stated that the unreasonable callous attitude of the Church authorities caused the superspreader event and many priests are already infected seriously. The complaint reportedly stated that the event was organised on the insistence of few people in positions of authority despite opposition from other members which has resulted in spread of Covid among the clergy who attended the retreat meet. The complaint sought action against the organisers of the event.

News input: Organiser, The Hindu.

Image Source: Organiser

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