TORONTO (CANADA)
Brampton Guardian [Brampton, Ontario, Canada]
December 24, 2025
By Andrew Palamarchuk
A Brampton priest has been removed from pastoral ministry after being charged with sexual assault and sexual interference, the Archdiocese of Toronto says.
Rev. James Cherickal, pastor of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, has been charged by Peel Regional Police, according to a statement by the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Peel police confirmed he was arrested and charged Dec. 18 with one count each of sexual assault and sexual interference.
A Brampton priest has been removed from pastoral ministry after being charged with sexual assault and sexual interference, the Archdiocese of Toronto says.
Rev. James Cherickal, pastor of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, has been charged by Peel Regional Police, according to a statement by the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Peel police confirmed he was arrested and charged Dec. 18 with one count each of sexual assault and sexual interference.
“As the matter is now before the courts, and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no further information can be provided at this time,” police said in an email.
“Following our protocols and procedures relating to allegations of misconduct, Fr. Cherickal has been removed from pastoral ministry,” the archdiocese statement said. “As with any accused in our Canadian legal system, he is considered innocent until proven guilty and entitled to due process.”
According to the archdiocese, Cherickal has served in several parishes over the last 28 years, including in Brampton, Mississauga and Scarborough:
- St. Patrick in Mississauga from 1997-2004
- St. Joseph in Mississauga from 2004-2005
- Precious Blood in Scarborough from 2005-2006, 2010-2012
- St. Mary in Brampton from 2006-2010
- St. Thomas Syro Malabar Mission (location not provided) in 2010
- St. Anne in Brampton from 2012-2018
- St. Francis Xavier in Mississauga from 2018-2024
- St. Jerome in Brampton since 2024
The Archdiocese of Toronto said it “looks upon any accusation of misconduct as an urgent matter that requires serious attention,” adding “we pray for all those who are affected by this painful situation.”
Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter for the Brampton Guardian, Caledon Enterprise and Mississauga News. Reach him at apalamarchuk@metroland.com.