TURA: A missionary priest arrested by Garo Hills police for allegedly molesting a woman passenger in a night bus last week, has been suspended by his congregation- Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales.
The suspension order of the priest was notified through a statement issued by the Bishop of Tura, Rt. Rev. Andrew R Marak.
Interestingly, the actual name of the molester priest has been identified as one Abraham Ponvelil, and not Biju Joseph which the accused had claimed to be when he was taken to police by the passengers. He was ordained a priest on January 5th 2005.
“Fr Abraham Ponvelil, MSFS of Somonpara Parish is under judicial custody for allegedly touching the hand of a lady improperly while travelling in the bus. Pending the investigation, the Provincial Superior of the MSFS Congregation has suspended him from all priestly ministry with effect from March 16,” stated Bishop Andrew Marak.
Pointing out that the report of the unfortunate incident might cause scandal among some sections of the Faithful, the Bishop urged that the information is shared with the Faithful adding ‘the Church does not approve of such acts by priests’.
The accused priest had allegedly tried several times to touch the hand of his lady co-passenger during the night bus journey from Shillong to Tura. He was pulled up by other passengers after the victim raised an alarm.
When the priest was handed over at Bajengdoba police station by the passengers, he allegedly tried to give a false identity of himself claiming to be one Fr Biju Joseph. During frisking he was reportedly found in possession of different identity cards as well as four expensive bottles of French brandy.
He has since been sent to jail in judicial custody as the police investigation takes place over the incident.