Gratitude for prayers, as deacon awaits kidney transplant

By Catherine Sheehan

Deacon Vinco Muriyadan has expressed his heart-felt gratitude for the many prayers being said for him by his friends in Tasmania as he awaits kidney transplant surgery in Kerala, India.

“Many, many people who know me and are close to me, they call me and tell me that they are praying for me, and they also send me messages,” Vinco said.

“I’m very thankful to them for their support and their prayers for me.”

Vinco left Hobart on 15 April returning to his home city of Kerala, in the hope of securing the life-saving surgery.

The transplant surgery is now scheduled for 14 June.

His mother Ruby agreed to donate her kidney to him, after doctors suggested she would be an ideal donor, given her shared genetics with her son, and her good health. Receiving a kidney from a relative means there is less chance of Vinco’s body rejecting the new organ.

Vinco said his mother did not hesitate when she was approached about being his donor.

“She straightaway said, ‘I’m ready to do anything for you’,” Vinco recalled.

“She’s so courageous. It’s not an easy decision to make.”

Deacon Vinco with his mother, Ruby, who will be donating her kidney to him. Photo: Supplied

Vinco said he was currently receiving kidney dialysis treatment several times a week at a Catholic hospital in Kerala and had undergone many tests and consultations with doctors in preparation for the transplant.

“I’m feeling very optimistic and hopeful. And I really feel I’m in good hands.”

He also said he appreciated being close to his family in Kerala at this time, after not seeing them for six years.

“I feel very good being with my family, my mum and dad, my brothers and sisters-in-law.”

Vinco moved to Australia in 2015. He was ordained to the deaconate by Archbishop Julian in November last year, and served as a deacon at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart.

He asked for prayers for both himself and his mother, that the transplant operation would be successful and that they both recover well.

“I need more prayer and support. I think that’s an important thing, that everything goes well for the surgery and all the preparations.”

“I would like to thank the Archbishop for supporting me, and the diocese.”

“I’m really thankful for my family, especially my mum for showing this courage. I know it’s not easy to go through this pain and these struggles in her life.”

The Archdiocese of Hobart will fund Vinco’s kidney transplant operation, however donations are also welcome to help meet the cost.


Donations towards Vinco’s surgery can be made to:

Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia

BSB: 067-000

Account number: 10320689

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