*'Support the family of Aleena Benny'*

The news of the death of Aleena Benny, a teacher at St. Joseph LP School, Kodanchery, in Kerala was heartbreaking. She committed suicide after being denied the salary for the past six years and told to leave the job by the catholic management. According to the family she paid 1.3 million Indian Rupees to secure the job in the school run by Thamarassery Diocese of Syro-Malabar Church. The victim, who belongs to a poor family, served in the Catholic Church school for six years and did not receive any single penney as salary. Her colleagues paid for her bus fare. It is an eye-opener for any catholic that, in such an unfortunate tragedy, the Syro-Malabar Church did not even come forward to express condolences for the suicide of a teacher or help the family. Instead of supporting the family, the pastoral council secretary of Thamarassery diocese blamed them for tarnishing the image of the church!

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Community of Ireland (SMCI) strongly condemns the neglectful actions of Thamarassery Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil, the diocese and the school management. SMC Ireland would like to raise funds to help the family of Aleena Benny who are going through this extremely difficult situation. SMC Ireland call all catholics and people from other communities to extend their support to the depressed family who have been exploited by the church hierarchy. Any donations received through this initiative will be transferred to the family.

Syro-Malabar Community Ireland (SMCI)

The link to the news of this tragic incident were given below:

https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-diocese-accused-of-forcing-woman-teachers-suicide/107953

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-school-teacher-suicide-salary-9846208/

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Feb/21/father-holds-thamarassery-diocese-management-responsible-for-teachers-death-in-kerala