Accused Maumee priest will be sent back to home diocese in India

By Mark Bickle
Toledo News Now
July 19, 2015

http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/29579802/accused-maumee-priest-will-be-sent-back-to-india-after-investigation

Father Samuel Punnoor

MAUMEE, OH (Toledo News Now) -

The Diocese of Toledo has announced that a priest accused of violating Diocesan policy, in behavior involving children, will remain on leave from Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Maumee and be sent back to his home diocese in India.

In May, Reverend  Samuel Punnoor was accused by a child of violations of the diocesan code of pastoral conduct; specifically, “Appendix A: Diocese of Toledo Code of Pastoral Conduct” of the diocesan “To Protect and to Heal: Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors.”

The diocese says that an investigation by Lucas County Children Services found that Father Punnoor's actions were not deemed to be sexual abuse but his behavior with the child did raise concerns.

A press release from the diocese states, "the agency's assessment determined that Reverend Samuel Punnoor's actions did not meet the definition of sexual abuse as defined by state law. The agency also indicated that it has concerns about Father Punnoor's interactions with the victim and that he appears to have boundary issues in not recognizing appropriate interaction with this child."

An investigation by the diocese concluded that  a violation of the diocesan code of pastoral conduct had occurred.

As a result, Bishop Daniel Thomas has ordered that Punnoor have no access to children and will have no priestly ministry in the Diocese of Toledo.

In addition, the Diocese of Toledo says it has communicated all findings and decisions regarding the case to Lucas County Children Services and the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office.