INDIA
Bangalore Mirror
By Deepthi Sanjiv, Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Apr 22, 2016
On the complaint of a 10-year-old boy’s parents, the Vittal police of Dakshina Kannada district booked a priest for beating the child during a catechism class.
Speaking of the incident to Bangalore Mirror, Childline (Padi) director Renny D’Souza said the priest identified as Andrew D’Costa attached to the Lady of Fathima Church in Peruvai is accused of beating up the child. “The incident reportedly took place on April 15, and it was brought to our notice on April 18,” he said.
Before their first Holy Communion, a child is made to learn a lot of prayers. This child was reportedly slow in learning the prayers, which infuriated the priest, resulting in him beating the boy. The parents brought the issue to Childline.
A team from Childline visited the boy’s house, examined his bruises and recorded statements of the boy as well as his parents. The team also tried to meet the priest, but could not as he was not available. Childline will submit a report of the incident to the district child protection officer on Friday, it said.
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