Homily: April 4, 2022, Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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   “The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.”

Do you agree?

In 1966, a priest Fr. Benedict was accused of first-degree murder. He was from my archdiocese in India. He was accused of impregnating a woman named Maria, of stabbing her to death and leaving her body by the roadside. It was a cruel act.

While in custody, the police questioned him to get his admission of guilt, they tortured him badly. They even pulled out some of his fingernails to force him to admit. But he denied. He insisted he was innocent.

Thereafter, the first-class court concluded the case with a death sentence. He appealed to the superior court. Finally, after two years in prison, his appeal was accepted because the prosecution could not provide the necessary evidence. He was released from prison but nobody in society believed him his innocence. The media speculated that the catholic church had bribed the police and the court. He still insisted he was innocent.

However, after his release, the diocese sent him to a rural parish and restricted his ministries. He served silently and humbly, carrying the permanent label of a shameful murderer.

34 years later in year 2000, just two years before Fr. Benedict’s death, the truth was revealed.

Guilt stricken, a 93 old lady went to Fr. Benedict and revealed the truth which her late husband had kept secret for so many years. Maria died during an abortion and the father of the child was a parishioner at Fr. Benedict’s parish. 

There were many other dark secrets in the whole matter. Fr. Benedict was a convenient, easy scapegoat.

He had been innocent all those years but the media, and the society, condemned him. Is his case unique?

A 2021 study stated that around 2 to 10 percent of prisoners in America were unjustly sentenced. That works out to about 40,000 innocent people who are unjustly locked up, based on the 2 million prisoners in America. 

Our Lord too, was unjustly accused and sentenced to death. He was counted among the criminals. There was no one to help Him prove His innocence. Similarly, for all those unjustly accused prisoners.

What can we do?

I like what Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” We may not be able to change the world, but we can change ourselves. Let us start by looking at everyone fairly. Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God, with the life of God’s breath. He alone gives and takes life. Let us not condemn anyone to their death. 

Amen.

If you would like to read further the story of Fr. Benedict Click here 


Comments

  1. TL10 April 2022 at 20:30

    I read the news account of Fr. Benedict. I cannot imagine bearing the cross of an unjust sentence for so many years but more so, for a priest to keep the confessional secret safe even when tortured and at the risk of his own death. Thank you for sharing this incident. Thank you for reminding us not to condemn anyone, rightfully or wrongfully. God bless you and all our priests.

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