Journalism of Courage
Premium

Kerala church sex scandal: Priests should be the models of sanctity, says Archbishop

A woman's husband had accused five Orthodox priests of using his wife's secret confession to "blackmail and sexually abuse" her.

Soosa Pakiam, who is also president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, said the recent incidents in the Catholic Church were a matter of shame for it. (ANI) Soosa Pakiam, who is also president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, said the recent incidents in the Catholic Church were a matter of shame for it. (ANI)
Advertisement

With a string of Christian priests facing accusations of sexual misconduct in Kerala, Archbishop Soosa Pakiam on Friday said clergymen should be the models of sanctity in life. “Sanctity is one of the most vital component of the church. Priests should be the models of sanctity. We, the clergymen, have the responsibility to uphold and protect sanctity in life,” he said at a function near Thiruvananthapuram.

Pakiam, who is also president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, said the recent incidents in the Catholic Church were a matter of shame for it.

A woman’s husband had accused five Orthodox priests of using his wife’s secret confession to “blackmail and sexually abuse” her.

The crime branch had slapped rape charges against four clergymen named by the alleged victim while the name of the fifth cleric was not included for want of substantial evidence.

Two priests had been arrested in connection with the case.

In another case, a nun had levelled rape charges against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

The nun, in her complaint to the Kottayam district police chief, had accused Mulakkal of raping her and having unnatural sex multiple times at a small town near Kottayam between 2014 and 2016.

From the homepage

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Edition
Install the Express App for
a better experience
Featured
Trending Topics
News
Multimedia
Follow Us
Express ExclusiveHow Pak-based handlers used Indian SIMs smuggled by Nepali national to contact 75 Army men
X