INDIA
La Croix
T.K. Devasia, Kochi
India
The southern Indian High Court in the state of Kerala has ordered those accused of attempting to cover up for a Catholic priest arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl to surrender to the police.
A priest, two nuns and a laywoman, all working in Manathavady Diocese in Kerala are absconding. The four had applied for “anticipatory bail” but the court ruled that they should first surrender to police and then seek bail in a lower court.
Police arrested 48-year-old Manathavady Father Robin Vadakkancherry on February 28 for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl from his parish. In India, girls under the age of 18 years are considered minors and consensual sex with a minor is viewed as rape.
Father Vadakkancherry, parish priest of St. Sebastian’s Church in Kottiyoor, was arrested after an investigation proved his involvement, according to police.
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