Kochi (PTI) : A catholic priest, wanted in a case of alleged rape of a teenaged girl earlier this year, today surrendered before police at Aluva near here.
Police said Edwin Figarez, the priest attached to the Lourdes Matha Church, Puthenvelikkara in Ernakulam district, surrendered before Aluva Deputy SP P P Shams.
A lookout notice was issued against him after Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in May this year.
Police said he has been taken into custody by the probe team. The priest will be produced before the court tomorrow, they said.
Figarez had been missing ever since the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on May 5.
A spokesperson for Kottappuram Diocese had earlier said Figarez had been “suspended for the time being” from parish services after a pastoral commission appointed by the Bishop prepared a “preliminary report” about the alleged incident of sexual assault of the 14-year-old in a church complex between January and March this year, mostly when she came for confession.
In her complaint, the girl’s mother had alleged that the priest abused her daughter many times when she sought his services for confession.
Oh Oh! So much intolerance!
“So much intolerance,” says Drona! That too Drona!!? Wa, Wah!! Are we not quick to label? “We” who are distant to the would be depression victim. Will you pardon, if ” Go, sin no more?”, applies? Fellow must be regretting saying, “If only I could catch the bullet once triggered!”; if the reporting/case is genuine. Two sides to a coin. There is no single page paper. “Year of forgiveness”, “Enter the door of Mercy” “Empathy…!” “Who am I to judge?” There are greater crimes taking place! Wish we could mitigate…. My prayers will be heard??? It’s possible to forgive thus… Read more »
This doesn’t help Catholic priest community that has a very dark, painful history involving pedophiles. Parents need to be ultra cautious in allowing these religious figures near minors without any supervision.
A note to religious bigots on this forum – My comments are equally applicable to all ‘religious’ figures. It could be a swamiji or a father. Save yourself some time and energy!!
Do agree with you.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORSHIP PLACE – CAN GOVERNMENT COME OUT WITH SOLUTION – ACT, LAW!?
“Suspended for the time-being”? What crap is this? The despicable chap should have been defrocked and excommunicated immediately!
Intolerance ????
You don’t have to mention, we all can see that it is crystal clear now.
Looks like a hero I should say thr girl would have been impressed by his looks