Indian bishop blesses tower at Marian shrine to honor tsunami victims

Published: 2005-12-27

VAILANKANNI, India (CNS) -- The blessing of a 60-foot concrete tower at a site where more than 800 tsunami victims were buried marked the conclusion of the first anniversary of the tragedy that struck the Marian pilgrim center of Vailankanni on India's eastern coast. "Let this be a tower of invitation to pray for the dead," said Bishop Devadass Ambrose Mariadoss of Thanjavur, India, after blessing the tower erected at the spot where the rotting bodies of the Catholic pilgrims as well as locals were dumped after the tsunami. Earlier, wearing black ribbons and holding candles, nearly 20,000 people, including thousands of Catholic pilgrims who came from all across India, took part in a procession to honor the dead. "Oh God, welcome our departed brothers and sisters into your paradise," said one of the giant banners held out during the procession. A band played while thousands of Hindus joined the Catholic mourners holding wreaths and flower garlands for their dead loved ones.

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