By Matters India Reporter
Kollam, Dec 31, 2024: A court in Kerala, southern India, has summoned a Catholic priest, who allegedly used a sermon to defame some parishioner.
The parishioners had reportedly called for transparency in the parish accounts.
Father Joseph Kadavil, former parish priest of St Augustine Church, Thalamukalil, has been asked to appear before the First Class Judicial Magistrate of Chavara on February 18, 2025. The 200-year-old parish comes under the Quilon Latin diocese.
The case is related to a sermon Father Kadavil delivered during Sunday Mass on December 1, 2019, in the Thalamukali parish when he was posted there.
He allegedly abused six parishioners who had earlier accused him of not maintaining transparency in the church building accounts. They had also informed their bishop.
The priest, in his provocative sermon, said the six parishioners had given a new definition to priests as those living on their people’s leftovers. “There are priests in our families and it is time we asked ourselves whether we had told them to their face that they lived on our leftovers.”
He also said the six deserved special awards for serving the parish with their sweat and blood. “They will be honored for their contribution to the parish’s overall growth at the blessing of the new church building,” he reportedly said.
The court petition was filed by Jose Varghese, one of the six, through lawyer Borish Paul.
The petition alleged that the priest had used his power and authority as the vicar to defame the faithful.
“The case indicates the faithful will no longer tolerate the priest using the pulpit to abuse them,” said the petitioners’ lawyer.
Recalling Pope Francis’ advice to priests to avoid long sermons during Mass, Paul asked whether priests ever care for such instructions.
Father Kadavil did not answer calls.
Pulpit power is often abused. However, why a delay of 5 years.