Bishop kidnapped, beaten in Southern India

Bishop Gallela Prasad of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cuddapah was handcuffed and blindfolded then kidnapped in Southern India while he was on his way home from Karunagiri Shrine after celebrating Mass.

The 54-year-old bishop testified to Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) how he was beaten while in the hands of his abductors. Gallela could not identify his kidnappers but he recounted that he was taken "to an undisclosed location" by two vehicles.

According to Gallela, the kidnappers punched and hit him, which resulted in several injuries to his body; yet he did not resist the beating.

While he was with the kidnappers, he was also questioned about the diocese's financial transactions.

Gallela also said the abductors demanded five million rupees, which is equivalent to US$75,325. They urged him to help them since the bishop has helped others as well.

The bishop reportedly his kidnappers who they were, who in turn responded that they were the police. The next day, the abductors let him go. They left him about 90 kilometers away from the diocese.

Bishop Gallela said that the criminals appeared to have been paid and judging from the way they talked, they were not Christians.

Thumma Bala, Archbishop of Hyderabad, slammed the kidnappers and the act that they did, saying, "It is unbelievable that such a violent atrocity is perpetrated on a high ranking religious leader of a minority community, who is totally dedicated to the service of the needy and marginalized."

Law enforcements are now investigating the said incident. The archbishop also appealed to the authorities that the criminals should face charges for the crime done.

Cuddapah, where Bishop Gallela is based, is a suffragan diocese of Hyderabad Achrdiocese, where Archbishop Thumma is located. It has around 114,800 Catholics.