Catholic Bishop abducted, attacked and assaulted before release

'They hit me and punched me, resulting in injuries all over my body. I did not resist.'

Catholic bishop Prasad Gallela was on his way home from Mass on April 25, when two vehicles pulled up to him.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Bishop Gallela concluded Mass at Karunagiri Shrine in southern India then headed home.

When the vehicles stopped, unidentified people stepped out and attacked.

UCA News repoted Bishop Gallela was blind-folded, handcuffed and abducted.

The Bishop did not know where he was taken, but said, "They hit me and punched me resulting in injuries all over my body. I did not resist."

As he was beaten, Bishop Gallela explained how the abductors demanded 5 million rupees ($75,325) and repeatedly asked him about the financial transactions of the diocese.

"When I asked who they were, they said they are from the police but police does [sic] not behave like this," the Bishop described. "They appeared to be paid goons and non-Christians from the way they talked and behaved."

Early the next day, Bishop Gallela was released roughly 55 miles from his diocese.

"Police are trying to find those behind the incident," the Bishop stated, then added, "I help so many people, I should help them too."

Archbishop Thumma Bala of Hyderabad described the incident as a "violent atrocity."

He continued, explaining the attack against "a high-ranking religious leader of a minority community, who is totally dedicated to the service of the needy and marginalized" was "unbelievable."

Though he was banged up, Bishop Gallela simply said, "Police are trying to find those behind the incident." Meanwhile, the Archbishop has appealed to legal authorities to investigate the abduction and produce the culprits.

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