INDIA
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TA Ameerudheen
Barely two months after Pope Francis had exhorted Bishops all over the world to show zero tolerance towards crimes against children, a Catholic priest was arrested on charges of child sexual abuse in Kerala.
Father Robin, as Mathew Vadakkancheril had come to be known as Vicar of St Sebastian’s Church in Kottiyoor in Kannur district of Kerala, was arrested on Monday for allegedly raping a 16-year-old last year.
Vadakkancheril was arrested in Thrissur while trying to leave the country.
In his letter on January 2, 2017, the pope had begged forgiveness for the sufferings of children who were sexually abused by priests. “It is a sin that shames the Church,” the letter read.
Taking a cue from the pope’s advice, the Mananthavady Bishop, Jose Porunnedom, removed the accused from the office of the Vicar and suspended him from exercising his priestly ministry.
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