Rani Maria Vattalil
| Rani Maria Vattalil | |
|---|---|
 Sr. Rani Maria Vattalil | |
| Born |
January 29, 1954 Pulluvazhy, Ernakulam district, Travancore-Cochin (now Kerala), India |
| Died |
25 February 1995 (aged 41) Nachanbore Hill, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
Sister Rani Maria Vattalil (1954–95) was a Catholic religious and missionary social worker in the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC), who worked among the poor within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Indore. She was born in what is now the Indian state of Kerala. She was declared to be a Servant of God in 2007,[1] and her beatification is being considered.[2][3]
Sister Rani Maria was murdered in a knife attack by a hitman named Samandar Singh at Nachanbore Hill in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on 25 February 1995.[1][4][5][6] The murder was arranged because some landlords were offended by her work among the landless poor.[1][4][6] Cardinal Gracias described her work as an "heroic example ... siding with the poor and disadvantaged."[7] A museum in her honour exists at Pulluvazhy in Ernakulam.
The documentary The Heart of a Murderer, depicting the murder and subsequent repentance of Samandar Singh was the winner at the World Interfaith Harmony Film Festival 2013.
References
- 1 2 3 The Herald of India, Feb, 2010.
- ↑ UCA News, Feb 28, 2011.
- ↑ Indian Express, Oct, 2008.
- 1 2 Vatican Radio, Feb 28, 2011.
- ↑ Francis Arackal, Thoughts For The Upper Room, St Pauls BYB, 2005, ISBN 8171097081, p. 200.
- 1 2 C. P. Varkey, Healing The Heart Of Emotional Wounds, St Pauls BYB, 2004, ISBN 8171093019, p. 120.
- ↑ The Vatican Today, Feb 6, 2012.
