INDIA
National Catholic Reporter
Jose Kavi | May. 1, 2017
NEW DELHI
A rash of recent alleged sex abuse cases involving Catholic priests in Southern India have left Christians distraught and frustrated over the local church’s lack of response. More than 100 theologians, women religious, priests and feminists have written to India’s bishops to demand they react quickly in accordance with the pope’s call to end such transgressions.
“We are trying every way to get the bishops to act. We thought this is a good opportunity,” says Virginia Saldanha, a theologian who was part of the team that drafted the March 22 letter to the bishops.
Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, another theologian who coordinated the letter’s drafting, says the Feb. 28 arrest of a Catholic priest who allegedly raped and impregnated a young teenage girl in his parish in Kerala state spurred them to go to church authorities.
Police apprehended Fr. Robin Vadakkumcherry, 48, of the Mananthavady Diocese while he was trying to flee the country after the alleged crimes. Vadakkumcherry is now in jail awaiting trial, police said.
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