Tellicherry archdiocese suspends priest accused of sodomizing minor

By Matters India Reporter

Tellicherry, June 16, 2025: Archbishop Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry has suspended a priest accused of sexually assaulting a minor boy.

In his June 8 order, the archbishop removed with immediate effect Father Paul Thattuparambil from the post of the vicar of St. Pauls’ Church Athirumavu in Kerala’s Kasargod district.

The prelate also prohibited Thattaruparambil from exercising his priestly ministry, including “the celebration of the Sacraments and preaching of the Word of God in public, either inside or outside the archdiocese.”

The order came after the archbishop considered the “seriousness and scandalous nature of the allegation of child abuse” against the priest.

The suspension and prohibition, the order added, “will remain in force until the accused is undergone the prescribed legal procedures in this regard and declared innocent.”

Media reports said the priest was charged with raping the 16-year-old boy. The police have registered a case against the priest, who has reportedly gone into hiding to evade arrest.

An official complaint was filed against the priest and the Chittarikkal police invoked POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act against him.

According to the complaint, the priest reportedly sexually assaulted the eleventh grader by taking him to his parsonage and other places during May 15-August 13, 2024.

The alleged crime came to light reportedly after a counselling session during a spiritual retreat and the matter was referred to Childline.

Meanwhile onmanorama.com quoted a parish official’s WhatsApp message claiming Father Thattuparambil was being framed.

The message urged parishioners to send registered letters with acknowledgement to the Chittarikkal police, vouching for the priest’s character, “because that’s the only thing that can save him.”