OHIO
Toledo Blade
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo has determined that a priest placed on administrative leave two months ago, after a child complained of improper conduct, should return to his home diocese in India and have no priestly ministry or access to children in Toledo in the meantime.
The Toledo diocese had suspended the Rev. Samuel Punnoor on May 22 following the allegation that he had violated the diocesan code of pastoral conduct as it pertained to sexual abuse of minors. Since then, according to a diocesan statement, a Lucas County Children Services investigation found no actions meeting the statutory definition of sexual abuse.
But an ecclesiastical investigation submitted to the Diocesan Review Board resulted in findings that Father Punnoor violated two standards relating to physical contact with youth and sexual harassment, with the latter including unwanted sexual advances or touching, according to the statement. Bishop Daniel Thomas has accepted the review board’s recommendation that Father Punnoor remain on administrative leave and return to his home country, the diocese said.
Announcements regarding the decision will be made Sunday at two churches where Father Punnoor served as vicar: Most Blessed Sacrament in Toledo and St. Joseph in Maumee. Notices also will be sent to parents or guardians of students at Blessed Sacrament and St. Joseph schools and Central Catholic High School, where the priest formerly served as a faculty member, the diocese said.
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