By Matters India Reporter
Ajmer: A Catholic priest, who recently assaulted his bishop, has been suspended, according to a letter from the victim prelate.
In a letter to Father Varghese Palappallil, Bishop Pius Thomas D’Souza of Ajmer cited the second section of Canon law 1370 to inform his priest assaulter that his action has incurred “Latae Sententiae Interdict and suspension” from all priestly duties and priestly ministry.
The Catholic Church inflicts a “latae sententiae penalty” automatically on those attacking its authorities such as a bishop.
Copies of Bishop D’Souza’s March 10 were also sent to all bishops in India, major superiors of religious congregations working in the northern Indian diocese, deans in the diocese, bishops of Agra region and Father Martin Anto, parish priest of the diocese’s Vallabhnagar church.
The bishop’s letter informs the priest that he has been barred from the “celebration of Mass, Sacraments, sacramentals and to receive Sacraments in the Church from the very moment of the physical assault.”
The bishop informs the priest that he is obliged to observe the canon law provisions.
Father Palappallil, who is facing a sexual abuse allegation from a married woman, attacked Bishop D’Souza on March 7 in the dining hall of the Bishop’s House.
A message from Father Cosmos Shekhawat, the diocese’s vicar general, on March 9 said Father Palappallil attacked the bishop after the prelate declined the priest’s demand for some appointment.
The bishop had not given Father Palappallil any assignment as the abuse case against him was pending in Rome.