Vicar General of Patna Archdiocese succumbs to injuries after fatal attack

Patna – The Vicar General of Patna Archdiocese, who was attacked last month and stabbed by a local goon, struggled for his life but finally succumbed to his injuries in Kurji Holy Family Hospital, Patna, on the early morning of May 1.

Fr. Mathew Uzhuthal, Vicar General of Patna Archdiocese and a parish priest of Assumption of Our Lady Church at Mokama, was assaulted and stabbed on April 11 because the priest opposed the criminal activities of a local goon.

Fr. Uzhuthal, stabbed grievously in the neck and chest, had to be rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. According to news reports, he had lost a lot of blood and he could not move his legs because the stabbing ruptured some nerves in his neck.

The alleged assailant, Gyan Prakash, is a local Catholic youth and has an extensive criminal history, and was recently released on bail after spending four years in jail in a murder case.

According to news sources, the assailant often harassed Catholic parishioners and even extorted money from them after his release. Fr. Uzhuthal had counseled Gyan Prakash several times since his release from prison, trying to settle him in a normal life through advice. However, the goon was not happy with just the advice, and also began demanding money from the priest. When the priest refused to give in to his demands, Gyan Prakash attacked Fr. Uzhuthal, stabbed him and fled away.

Father Mathew was initially treated at the Nazareth Hospital, Mokama, and later he was shifted to Kurji Holy Family Hospital, Patna.

The injured priest underwent a spinal cord operation on April 23. However, soon thereafter, his health began to deteriorate and he finally succumbed to his injuries on May 1.

Funeral Mass was held on Sunday, May 1 in St. Joseph's Pro–Cathedral, Bankipur, Patna.

Though the local police authorities have promised to bring the culprit to justice, the murderer still remains at large.