Priest's naked body found on roadside in India

A Catholic priest has been found murdered in a remote area near Mangalore, southern India.

The naked body of Father James Mukalel, 39, was found on a roadside in the morning of July 30. The priest worked in Belthangady diocese, a Syro-Malabar diocese, with its headquarters near Mangalore, in Karnataka state.

Father Thomas Kannankal, the diocesan social work director, said the deceased priest was returning to his parish after attending the funeral of one of his former parishioners in Thottathady parish on July 29.

Father Mukalel belonged to Tellicherry archdiocese in the neighboring state of Kerala, but opted to work in Belthangady, serving in Kutrapady parish at the time of his death.

Father Kannankal said that after attending the funeral of the former parishioner, Father Mukalel visited some families, had dinner in a convent, and was returning to his base at around 9 p.m.

Some parishioners found the body on the roadside at around 7 a.m. the next day and informed the diocesan officials. Police investigations are underway.

Father Kannankal claims the priest's death is "a clear (case of) murder as his body was found far from his motorbike." He added, "The body did not bear wounds except (for) signs of suffocation."

Belthangady diocese had reported some violence against Christians in the past year and police are enquiring into them, the priest said.

Father Jose Valiaparambil, the vicar general, said the incident has shocked the entire diocese, which is preparing for its mission congress from Aug. 3.