By: Matters India Reporter
Malayattoor: Kerala police today arrested Johny, the prime suspect in the murder of Father Xavier Thelakkat, who was stabbed to death on March 1 . Johny was a sexton employed at St Thomas Mount at Malayattoor in Ernakulam district which was overseen by Father Thelakkat.
The accused will be produced before a magistrate on Friday or Saturday.
Johny stabbed Father Xavier Thelakat after a heated argument while the two were climbing the mount. He later escaped into forest surrounding the pilgrimage site.
The 52-year priest, who is the rector of the pilgrimage center, was rushed to Little Flower Hospital in Angamaly. However the hospital, managed by Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese, declared the priest dead on arrival.
Early reports indicate that Johny was upset after the priest sacked him three months ago. He has been pressing Father Thelakat to take him back.
Malayattoor is some 50 km northeast of Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala.
The place draws thousands of pilgrims who come to climb to the shrine on the hilltop praying the Way of the Cross during the lent season.
The incident occurred around 12 noon at the sixth station of the Way of the Cross on March 1.