KOCHI: Even as a deluge of support pours in for Fr Robin, accused in the Kottiyoor sexual abuse case, the Kerala Theological Association (KTA) has issued an apology while accepting “the clergy may have deviated from the pious path”.

KTA, an organisation of priests, members of religious congregations and laymen engaged in research in theology, has tendered the apology in a statement to the victim, her family, the Catholic community and to society.  “The unfortunate incident evokes nothing but apology. We apologise for deviating from the spiritual way and for misleading the people,” a statement issued by Fr Vincent Kundukulam said.

“It is an opportunity for priests to do a self-introspection. There is no point in covering it up by saying “we are also humans, after all,” he said.

Society holds priests in high regard as the people have great expectations from them. Emotional outbursts and reactions on media indicate how much trust and respect they have reposed in them, the statement said.  It’s a misconception a person becomes divine once he is ordained a priest. If you consider priesthood as a profession and drift away from Jesus and the poor, you will fall, he said.

The priests should introspect whether they should be active in market-driven spheres, the KTA president said.

Fr Kundukulam, a professor at the St Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva, said it is relevant to review priestly formation.

“It does not imply the present ways are outdated. But aspirants should be trained to adapt to the cultural changes in the modern world,” he said. KTA also condemned social media posts by priests and laity accusing the victim girl and her family. “Apologies by Cardinal George Alencherry and Fr Paul Thelakkattu and the family of Fr Robin were soothing act. Despite this, attempts to blame the girl are unacceptable. Blame-shifting in lieu of initiating corrective measures is not fair,” Fr Kundukulam said.

The recent developments in Kerala is a pointer to the need for a new sexual culture.Those concerned should address the issue immediately. Sexuality is not discussed with due consideration within families and in religion because of pseudo morality and spirituality. Lets hope a better sexual culture will emerge in society through education, he said.