By Matters India Reporter
Kochi: A forum of Catholic theologians in Kerala has apologized for a clergy abuse case that has rattled the Church in the southern Indian state.
The incident in Kottiyoor where a parish priest sexually abused a minor girl leading to her pregnancy is shocking and painful, says a press release from the Kerala Theological Association (KTA).
Kottiyoor is a parish under Mananthavady Syro-Malabar diocese and its parish priest, Father Robin Vadakkumcherry, was arrested on February 28, nearly three weeks after the 16-year-old girl he impregnated delivered a baby boy in a Catholic hospital. The priest is now in a jail at Kannur, a town in northern Kerala.
“The unfortunate incident evokes nothing but apology. We apologize for deviating from the spiritual way and for misleading the people,” says a statement issued by Father Vincent Kundukulam, president of the theological forum.
The March 7 statement offered unreserved apology to the victim, her family, the faithful and the people of Kerala for the failure of those trusted to guide people.
The forum terms as indefensible the trauma the grave acts caused to human conscience by a person, who should have been a custodian of student safety and a symbol of morality. It endorses the raging debates on the scandal in audio-visual and social media.
“This is a time for reflection for the priestly community. Nobody can hide behind the lame excuse of ‘We are also human beings.’ The world looks up to them with a lot of trust and hope. The outbursts of rage in the media show how much respect was laid on the Church and priestly community,” the theologians say.
The forum regrets the excuse offered by some that ordination does not detach a person from worldly affairs. It says priests fail easily if they view priesthood as a job and keep away from Jesus, the poor and needy.
The forum wants the latest scandal to trigger prompt discussion on whether the religious should be as much involved in areas driven by market interests alone. The theologians also regret that the years of training has failed to identify those with a criminal mindset and call for rethink on the seminary training methods.
The theologians welcomed the apology offered by the Mananthavady diocese and some Church leaders, but condemned those using social media to blame the victim and her parents. “Instead of correcting oneself, the approach of crucifying the victim is not based on Gospel values. Thanks to all who took the stand that the religious community should not be blamed as whole, while criticizing the offenders,” the statement says.
Recent sexual scandals in Kerala call for urgent attention of those in authority to seek ways to develop a healthy sexual culture in Kerala. “Today sexuality does not get discussed in families, schools or religions under the label of faith and false morality. This situation has to change. Excessive suppression and condemnation will only lead to an exacerbation of the problem,” warn the theologians.
KTA is an organization of priests, nuns and lay people engaged in research in theology.