Brick Priest Arrested on Criminal Sexual Contact Charges

By Rosetta Key
New Jersey 101.5
July 17, 2012

nj1015.com/brick-priest-arrested-on-criminal-sexual-contact-charges/

A Brick Township Priest is arrested for allegedly having criminal sexual contact with a mother and her minor daughter from his parish. 64-year-old Marukudiyil Velan, also known as 'Father Chris', who's assigned to the Church of the Visitation in Brick, was arrested Saturday July 14th. Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford says the alleged abuse took place on Friday July 13th while Velan was visiting the family's home.

Velan is charged with one count of Criminal Sexual Contact and one Count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Bail is set at $75,000 with no 10 percent option. He's also prohibited from having any contact with anyone under the age of 18 years, was required to surrender his passport and the provisions of "Nicole's Law" were implemented. He's presently housed in the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.

Lynch Ford says the Diocese of Trenton was also notified of the arrest.