By Matters India Reporter
Ajmer: A Catholic priest of Ajmer diocese, currently facing sexual abuse allegation, has physically attacked his bishop, says a message from the vicar general.
The March 9 message from Father Cosmos Shekhawat terms as “very unfortunate” the attack that took place in the Bishop’s House two days earlier.
The message lets Bishop Pius Thomas D’Souza of Ajmer to narrate how he was attacked by Father Varghese Palappallil, whose abuse case is now pending in Rome.
The message expressed the diocese’s solidarity with the bishop and assured him the prayers of the faithful.
Bishop D’Souza, who took over the diocese on January 19, 2013, as its sixth prelate says he was attacked as he was having lunch on March 7. As he was about to get up after the meal at 1 pm Father Palappallil came to dining hall.
“Since he is a priest of the diocese I waited and he came and sat close to me,” the bishop explained: Without losing time, the priest began to argue about his case on sexual allegation from a married woman. “I explained to him that I have nothing to do with the case as it is pending in Rome, being dealt with according to the procedure of Canon Law and I am not against him,” Bishop D’Souza continued.
Father Palappallil then sprang up and started physically attacking the bishop, according to the prelate’s narration.
“Before I could understand anything, he gave me a strong blow on my face near eyes. My spectacles fell off to the ground. Before I could grasp the situation, he gave me a blow on my neck,” Bishop D’Souza continued.
In the meantime, Father Henry Moras came for lunch and rushed to the bishop’s rescue.
“With unbearable pain, I kept sitting on my chair,” said the prelate and added that his assailant kept asking him to give him appointment with immediate effect.
“I told Father Varghese to wait till the sexual allegation case is over, again he gave me blow on my chest and lifted a chair to me.”
Father Moras again saved the bishop.
“He attacked me as if he had pre-planned,” Bishop D’Souza alleged.