Fr Thomas Kottoor, Sr Sephy | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Alappuzha: Though Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy have been awarded life sentence for the murder of Sister Abhaya, their defrocking might be delayed. This is in view of the possibility of them filing appeal against the court order.
The punishment, called ‘defrocking’, means that the person can’t use the priestly/nun dress, can’t administer sacraments, can’t teach in any Catholic institutions and can’t preach or even read the Bible in churches.
The Kottayam Archdiocese had responded after the court verdict that the allegations levelled against the accused were unbelievable. They had stated that the accused have rights to file appeal in higher courts and to prove their innocence. This indicates that the defrocking procedures will not be taken up soon.
Circumstances of defrocking
- Removal of a person who furnishes wrong information about himself/herself and becomes priest/nun or when someone is forcefully ordained as priest/nun
- When someone relinquishes priesthood/nun-hood. Those who wish to get married usually resort to this
- As a punishment. The metropolitans in archdiocese concerned can take measures for it. The procedures can be completed after appointing a probe committee and conducting trial. This is a long process. The alleged accused can appeal with the Vatican and if the petition is rejected, the priesthood/nun-hood would be lost forever
For priests the retirement age is 75 and in case of nuns, though there is no prescribed retirement age, after 75 they can’t hold official responsibilities.
Delivering the quantum of punishment a day after convicting the two accused -- Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy, CBI Special judge K Sanal Kumar awarded double life sentence to the priest and slapped a total fine of Rs 12 lakh.The sentences shall run concurrently, the court said.
RELATED STORIES
.jpg?$p=c8e5126&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
.jpg?$p=e962c43&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
.jpg?$p=7aeb941&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
.jpg?$p=11c1bb2&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
