UPDATE (INDIA): A letter to the Jesuit superior general
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41st DAY OF THE HUNGER STRIKE
PLEASE VISIT THE JESUIT HOUSES IN YOUR COUNTRY!
We would like to send you a copy of letter sent by Basil Fernando to the Jesuit superior general in Rome regarding Fr. Pallath¡¯s hunger strike.
We are hoping for you to keep attention to this matter.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission
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June 20, 2002
Rev. Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach
Superior General
Curia Generalize
Compagnia di Gesu
C.P. 6139
00195 Roma Prati ITALY
FAX: 39-06-686-8214
Dear Fr. General,
I am writing to confront you with the news that has been brought to our notice, which is that Fr. John Manipadam, the provincial of the Jesuits in Kerala Province, did write to the Jesuit authorities in Rome to explore the possibility of reviewing the decision of the dismissal of Fr. Pallath. We have further learned that Fr. Julian Fernandez wrote back, stating, ¡°It is very important that whatever is done for a healing process should not give the seriously incorrect and potentially harmful impression that the decision of dismissal was juridically (or canonically) flawed, and the Kerala province should re-examine this issue with indifference.¡±
We confront you with this information. Will you deny this?
If not, what is all of this cover-up about? Is it to save face? Should a man die after 41 days on hunger strike just because there is fear about admitting a mistake?
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Basil Fernando
Executive Director
Asian Human Rights Commission
