Pope Francis Defrocks Kerala Priest For Serious Sexual Misconduct

Father Robin Vadakkumchery of Kerala, India

Photo courtesy: newindianexpress.com/

Pope Francis recently defrocked Father Robin Vadakkumchery who was convicted earlier by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) court of Thalassery, Kerala, India, for raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl in 2016, reports the New Indian Express. The court had jailed him for 20 years and imposed a fine of 300,000 Indian rupees (US$4,300) to be paid as compensation to the victim. 

Father Vadakkumchery was a manager and teacher at the Catholic school where the girl was studying. On February 7, 2017, she gave birth to a child that has been sent to a Catholic orphanage.

On February 27, 2017, Mananthavady Catholic diocese had suspended Father Vadakkunchery from priestly duties and formed a committee for further investigation.

For further details, please read the following:

• Pope Francis defrocks rape convict Kerala priest Robin Vadakkumchery (March 1, 2020)
• Vatican dismisses Indian priest jailed for rape (March 2, 2020)
• Jailed for 20 years, rape-convict Kerala vicar defrocked by Pope Francis (March 2, 2020)
• Pope defrocks priest convicted in rape case (March 2, 2020)