An Indian bishop has donated his kidney to an impoverished, lower-caste Hindu, becoming the first serving bishop to do so while alive.
“It is only a simple sacrifice for a fellow being,” said Bishop Mar Jacob Muricken, an auxiliary in the Palai district, part of India’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in the southern Indian region of Kerala.
Recipient Sooraj Sudhakaran, aged 30, had been undergoing dialysis for over a year after both his kidneys failed and, unable to work, was struggling to support his wife and mother.
The transplantation surgery took place at a private hospital in Kochi in Kerala on June 1.
“Pope Francis backs such acts of organ donation. It’s in the spirit of the Church. I believe this should be a strong message for people around me, to be open to donate organs,” said Bishop Muricken, who is aged 53.
The bishop learnt of Sudhakaran’s story from the chairman of the Kidney Federation of India, Father David Chiramel, who himself donated one of his kidneys seven years ago.
“I came to know about this youth from Father Chiramel, and decided to extend a helping hand, especially in this Year of Mercy,” explained Bishop Muricken.
“Pope Francis has repeatedly appealed to make Our Lord Jesus more visible through works of mercy,” he added.
“[It’s significant that he is doing it] in the Holy Year of Mercy, following the call by Pope Francis to love each other without the barrier of caste or creed,” Father Chiramel said.
Muricken was approved as a donor by a team of medical experts and government officials at a meeting held at Kottayam medical college at the end of May. The bishop had earlier undergone medical examinations at the hospital.
The Kidney Federation of India, founded by Father Chiramel, is a social service organisation that helps people find donors for kidney transplants.
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