In India at least 160 priests have died of COVID-19

The country registers a record death toll as second wave of COVID-19 surpasses previous record in U.S.

India this week registered the highest single known daily death toll in the COVID-19 pandemic, surpassing a record previously set by the United States.

The country recorded 4,529 deaths on Tuesday, authorities said.

One segment of the population to have been hit hard is Catholic priests. Some 160 clerics have died from Covid-19 in the past five weeks, according to Vatican News.

Capuchin Father Suresh Mathew, editor of the Church-run Indian Currents magazine, compiled a list of at least 160 diocesan and religious priests, who died between April 10 to May 17.

Three Catholic bishops are among the dead. Retired Bishop Joseph Pastor Neelankavil of Sagar of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church died in February, and retired Archbishop Antony Anandarayar of Pondicherry-Cuddalore and Bishop Basil Bhuriya of Jhabua died in early May.

Of the 160 priests who have died of COVID, more than 60 are from religious orders, with Jesuits topping the list with 24 deaths.

Fr. Mathew said that more clerical deaths may be reported from the second wave of the pandemic.