India: Bishop Appeals for Prayers for Jailed Catholic Priest

Bishop Niranjan Sualsingh of Sambalpur, in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, has appealed to the faithful to unite in prayer for a diocesan priest who was arrested following a motorcycle accident.

In a circular issued on November 11, the Bishop urged Catholics and people of goodwill “to keep Father Paul Adapoor in their prayers, that he may be strengthened by faith and delivered from his present trials.”

“It is with deep concern and sadness that I write to inform you about an unfortunate incident involving Fr. Paul Adapoor, the Parish Priest of Meghpal Parish,” the Bishop stated.

On November 9, 2025, around two in the afternoon, while Fr. Paul was returning from Sambalpur to Meghpal, an accident occurred near Hiro village under the jurisdiction of Jujumura Police Station. A motorbike rider, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, collided with the vehicle driven by Fr. Paul and died on the spot.

Following the accident, a crowd gathered at the scene. In the ensuing tension, Fr. Paul was physically assaulted by some members of the mob. The police intervened promptly, rescued him, and took him to Jujumura Police Station for his safety and to complete the necessary legal formalities.

A case has been registered under Sections BNS 281 and 106/1, but regrettably, Section 105 has also been falsely added. Due to this additional charge, Fr. Paul was denied bail and was sent to Sambalpur Jail on November 10.

“We are in close contact with the concerned authorities and are taking all necessary legal steps, including applying for bail at the District Court. We remain confident that truth and justice will prevail and that Fr. Paul will be released soon,” the Bishop assured.

“In this difficult time, I earnestly request your prayers for Fr. Paul Adapoor, that the Lord may strengthen him with courage, peace, and hope. Let us also pray for the departed soul of the person who lost his life in this tragic accident, and for his bereaved family, that they may find consolation in the Lord,” he added.

“May our loving God, who is our refuge and strength in times of distress, protect Fr. Paul and bring about a just and peaceful resolution to this situation.”

In his appeal, Bishop Sualsingh pointed the faithful back to the core of Christian trust: “May our loving God, who is our refuge and strength in times of distress.” His words reflect the tension experienced when a pastoral worker faces a painful legal ordeal, balancing human anguish and vulnerability with faith in divine providence and the power of communal prayer.

The Diocese’s call for prayer, the Bishop emphasized, is not a secondary gesture but a central act of how the Church journeys through moments of trial and seeks God’s justice and mercy.