INDIA: The Hermit Priest Who Gave His Kindey So Save A Hindu

Kerala, India - Auxiliary Bishop Jacob Muricken of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai made international headlines in 2016 when he donated one of his kidneys to a 30-year-old Hindu man suffering from kidney failure. In August 2022, he resigned from his position to embrace a life of solitude and prayer as a hermit.

Bishop Muricken, 59, left the bishop's house on August 15, 2022, and moved to a hermitage he built in Nallathanni in Kanjirappally diocese. The Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church approved his request to relieve himself from his post as auxiliary bishop while maintaining his title as bishop.

"It is a special call within a call to become a monk and abstain from official life as a bishop and other administrative roles in the diocese. It is to become closer to God and nature,"

Bishop Muricken said. The idea of leading a solitary life came to him in 2017, five years after he was ordained auxiliary bishop of Palai.

Father Joseph Maleparampil stated:

"The prelate will spend his remaining life in prayer in isolation and continue to hold the title of bishop. This is the first case in India's Catholic Church where a bishop has become a hermit. The prayers of the bishop will surely rejuvenate the Catholic Church."

Bishop Muricken told interviewers that his decision came from "an inspiration from God." He said he looked forward to spending the rest of his life "more in prayer and meditation and leading an eco-friendly life away from the hustle and bustle of the routines of a bishop."

The prelate said his life and prayer in solitude "will help transform the Catholic Church and people across the globe." He explained:

"God inspires me to go into solitude."

In 2016, Bishop Muricken became the first bishop in India to donate one of his kidneys to a Hindu man during the Year of Mercy.

"I have no anxiety about the surgery, and it's only a simple sacrifice for a fellow being," the then 52-year-old bishop said.

The recipient was E. Sooraj, a 30-year-old helper at an Ayurvedic hospital who had been struggling to stay alive with three dialysis treatments a week since both his kidneys became dysfunctional in late 2014. "It is incredible I am receiving the kidney of a bishop. This is beyond words," Sooraj said from his hospital bed hours before the surgery.

Bishop Muricken explained: "When I heard Father Davis speaking at a Bible convention two years ago, challenging Christians to give life to others literally by kidney donation, I decided that I should do that. When the Pope declared the Year of Mercy, I decided it was the best time to do it."

Sooraj hails from a poor, low-caste Hindu family. Following the death of his father due to a snakebite, Sooraj cared for his ailing mother and his wife while serving as the only breadwinner. He had lost his job and sold his house to pay for dialysis treatment costs.

"If I can save the life of Sudhakaran, a family would be saved," Bishop Muricken said. The bishop helped pay for lab tests and ancillary costs for the treatment.

Father Anithottathil Gervasis, secretary of the Palai diocese, stated: "This is a great selfless act of Bishop Muricken in the spirit of the Year of Mercy. Bishop Muricken's generosity has practically taught us a moral example in reaching out to save life."

Bishop Muricken was inspired by Father Davis Chiramel, who donated his kidney to a Hindu parishioner in 2008 and subsequently founded the Kidney Federation of India to facilitate kidney donation and support for those struggling with kidney ailments.

Bishop Muricken was born in Muttuchira, a village parish in the diocese, on June 16, 1963. He joined a seminary after completing a master's degree in economics and was ordained a priest in 1993. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Palai on August 24, 2012.

Known for his simple and austere lifestyle, Bishop Muricken is a vegetarian who eats two meals daily. He wrote to Church leadership in July 2018 requesting permission to become a hermit after having a vision in June 2017.

THE CRUSADERS OPINION

Bishop gives kidney to Hindu. Then abandons world for prayer. This is Christianity lived radically.

Jacob Muricken sacrificed his kidney to save E. Sooraj, a poor low-caste Hindu dying from kidney failure. Sooraj lost his father to snakebite, sold his house for dialysis, couldn't work. Bishop Muricken saw Christ in suffering Hindu and gave his kidney.

"Only a simple sacrifice for a fellow being,"

The bishop said. Simple? Most bishops can't sacrifice comfort. Muricken literally gave his body parts.

First Indian bishop donating kidney while serving.

Muricken shatters expectations of episcopal comfort twice.

Six years after kidney donation, God called him to solitude. Vision in 2017. .

Waited four years for approval. Moved to hermitage August 2022.

Now prays in isolation for Church and world.

"God inspires me to go into solitude," he said. Western bishops cling to palaces. Indian bishop builds hermitage in hills. Western bishops attend conferences. Muricken prays alone.

His life rebukes comfortable Christianity. Vegetarian eating two meals daily. Gave kidney to Hindu. Abandoned bishop's house for hermit cell. This is Gospel lived without compromise.

Muricken's kidney donation broke caste barriers and religious divisions. Low-caste Hindu received organ from Catholic bishop. Christ's love transcends human categories.

Pope Francis called for Year of Mercy. Muricken gave kidney. Most Catholics tweeted about mercy. Muricken bled for it.

Father Chiramel donated kidney 2008, founded Kidney Federation of India. Inspired Muricken and others. Now network of Christian kidney donors saves lives across India. This is Church being Church.

Muricken's hermit life continues radical witness. Prayer isn't escape—it's warfare. He fights spiritually for Church he left physically.

Western Church needs Murickens. Bishops living simply. Sacrificing literally. Praying constantly. Instead we get bureaucrats managing decline.

India's Christian witness shames many in Western Christianity.

They give kidneys.

We give statements.

They become hermits.

We become celebrities.

Muricken's story proves holiness still exists. Saints still walk earth. Bishops still sacrifice. Church still produces radicals following Christ literally.

Pray for Bishop Jacob Muricken in his hermitage and all who follow radical Christian discipleship.

Support organizations like Kidney Federation of India breaking barriers through sacrificial love.

Let Bishop Muricken's example challenge comfortable Western Christianity to live Gospel radically.