The funeral of murdered priest, Fr Peter, friend of the sick
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - A priest who was "simple and very religious, who always did his best. Fraternally united to the priests of the diocese, he recited Vespers with the community. " This is how Fr. Solomon Rodrigues - pastor of St. Peter Koliwada and dean of the College Gonsalo Garcia – remembers the late Fr Peter Bombach. The priest, who was about to turn 74, was killed late last night in Baboola, one kilometre from the house of the bishop of Vasai, an ancient city near Mumbai (Maharashtra).
The brutal murder was committed with a pair of scissors inside the ashram of Nirashritashramata, the monastery he founded. The faithful remember him as a simple priest, who loved living in poverty, characterized by his simple lifestyle and eating habits. His mission took place among the poorest, without distinction of caste, creed or religion.
According to locals, Fr. Peter spent his time in penance, fasting and prayer. He prayed for the sick, and many local disabled people came to him asking for a prayer to help in the cure of their disease. He celebrated every day in the morning, reciting evening prayers at Vespers, which included many of the faithful. On Sundays he distributed medicines for minor illnesses, while the people gathered on Saturday to invoke the Holy Spirit. The name of his ashram can be translated as "Mother of the abandoned, who gives refuge."
His tortured body was found by the faithful who were waiting for the celebration of morning mass. When the priest did not appear, a local doctor decided to look for him, discovering the crime. In addition to the pair of scissors, he had a rope around his neck. The police have opened an investigation, starting with taking traces and fingerprints from the crime area. At the moment, the corpse of Father Peter is at NavGate hospital, where an autopsy has been performed.
The funeral was celebrated by Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado of Vasai, the auxiliary bishop of Mumbai Mgr. Percival Fernandes and Msgr. Francisco Correa, Chancellor of the Diocese of Vasai. Present the faithful and the local clergy, who wanted to bid Fr Peter farewell for one last time.
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