A Kerala priest who has allegedly threatened the victim and offered her land and safety in return for scrapping the police complaint against a Bishop has been asked to step down.

A telephonic clip between a priest and a nun in Kerala that went viral, a priest was heard mediating with the victim's friend, who is also a nun, on the bishop's behalf.

However, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Congregation termed it as an unfortunate incident and has asked the priest to step down from his responsibilities.

CMI stated, "Father James has been asked to step down. An inquiry has been initiated.”

Advertising

Advertising

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Father James Erthayil for influencing the witness and criminal intimidation in Malankara Orthodox church case.

Five priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church are accused of sexually abusing a 34-year-old married woman by using her confessional statement.

Binu George, a priest of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, was alleged to have raped the parishioner in Alappuzha district four years ago. He is currently serving at a church under the diocese at Koypallikaranma.

The victim woman has claimed the priest sexually assaulted her at the office of the church when she approached him for help to settle some family dispute in 2014.

The Crime Branch wing of the Kerala Police had on July 2 registered a case against Father Varghese and three other priests on the basis of the statement given by a woman belonging to the same Church accusing them of sexually assaulting her on many occasions.

The alleged sexual abuse by the priests came to light after an audio clip of the victim's husband's purported conversation with a church official claiming rape of his wife by the clergymen was widely circulated on social media.