Asian Human Rights Commission

A summons has been issued by the Magistrate Court in Calicut to seven Jesuit priests and another person for physically throwing out their colleague of 33 years, Fr. Pallath J. Joseph. The case was allowed to proceed by the Magistrate Court in Calicut, and a summons has been issued to the following people as the accused:

Fr. Jose Thaiparambil, secretary and treasurer of the Jesuit province of Kerala
Fr. Abraham Pallivathukal, rector of Christ Hall where Fr. Pallath lived
Fr. Joseph Kalleppallil, a minister at Christ Hall
Fr. Paul Vadekel, acting Jesuit provincial
Fr. E. J. Thomas, Jesuit superior and present "director" of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Samskriti
Fr. John Manipadam, Jesuit provincial
Fr. V. T. Jose, executive assistant
Mr. T. A. Joseph, advocate

Many people and groups, including the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), have appealed to the superior general of the Jesuits in Rome to investigate the alleged criminal acts, but he has presently failed to respond. Suggestions have also been made for a proper way of dealing with the issue through dialogue by several Catholic priests in Kerala on a number of occasions. Now the religious and NGOs propose to take further action on the issue.

AHRC issued an urgent appeal on Fr. Pallath's behalf and has written several open letters to the Jesuit superior general. The complete story of the dispute can be found at the web site http://jjpallath.ahrchk.net.