London: Anniversary Mass and Vigil for Fr Stan Swamy SJ

A special Mass and Vigil to mark the first anniversary of the death of Fr Stan Swamy will take place in London on Tuesday, 5 July.

Mass will be celebrated at 13.05 in Farm Street Church, Mayfair, by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ. At 13.35 there will be a Solidarity Walk from Farm Street to the Indian High Commission. Those taking part are invited to bring banners, posters, or any symbol of solidarity with the causes championed by Fr Stan. At 14.15 a Prayer Vigil outside the Indian High Commission will be led by Fr Jovito D'Souza SJ.

Fr Stan dedicated his life to marginalised people in India, for which he will forever be remembered. He fought hard for the land rights of Adivasi and Dalit communities against multinational companies and mining businesses.

He was unfairly arrested by the National Investigation Agency of India on fictitious charges about his advocacy work being linked to Maoist terrorism.

Following his arrest, a worldwide campaign was launched appealing for his release.

A long-term sufferer of Parkinson's disease, his incarceration in a crowded prison since October 2020 made his condition much worse. After seven months, the health of 84 year-old Fr Stan had deteriorated so badly he was admitted to hospital in late May by the Bombay High Court. His condition became critical after he tested positive for Covid-19. Fr Stan died on 5 July 2021.