Senior Catholic priest’s murder: Former assistant arrested

Kochi: The police have arrested the accused in the murder of Catholic priest Fr Xavier Thelakkatt, the rector of the St Thomas International hill shrine Kurisumudi in Malayattoor near here.

The 52-year old priest was allegedly stabbed to death near here Thursday by his former assistant Johnny Vattekkadan, whom he had recently suspended for "misconduct".

Sacristan (one who assists the parish priest) Johnny attacked the priest with a knife on the footsteps of the hills.

A search was on to nab the assailant, who fled the scene after the incident, police said.

Thelakkatt, who suffered grievous injuries, died while being rushed to a hospital in nearby Angamaly, police added.

A statement by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church said the priest was attacked while he was climbing down Kurisumudy, a hilltop believed to have footprints of St Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Johnny was suspended from the post of sacristan some weeks ago for his alleged misconduct, it said. The priest had directed Johnny to come for a meeting Thursday to discuss his suspension issue, the statement said.

The body of the priest, handed over to the Church authorities after autopsy, was kept in Malayattoor Friday for the public to pay their last respects. The funeral would be held on Saturday, it said.

Police took Johnny into custody from a forest near Malayattoor.

A Church spokesman said the "unfortunate incident" occurred at a time when the priest was overseeing the preparations for the famous Kurisumudy pilgrimage to be commenced later this month.

According to Syrian Christians in Kerala, St Thomas had visited Kurisumudy after landing at Kodungalloor in AD 52.