Pathanamthitta: Fr. Dr Mathews Vazhakunnam, who made disparaging remarks about the Nilackal diocese Metropolitan Joshua Mar Nichodemos, has been suspended from all ecclesiastical duties pending investigation, the Catholicos of the East said. Fr Mathews is a priest in the Nilackal diocese and an educator.

As per the order issued by the Catholicos, the action was taken as a result of his insulting and challenging the Metropolitan via social media posts and the serious allegations raised against another diocese priest while engaging in news channel discussions. The order deemed it a reprehensible and insolent behaviour on the part of an individual who should act in a manner befitting a priest and a teacher. 

Not just church believers but also the general public was astonished by this heinous act of a priest who is supposed to guide the community of believers. While ecclesiastical or legal action may be taken in response to complaints against a priest, it is not within the conduct of a disciplined priest to make accusations publicly in a news channel discussion, the notice pointed out.

The order stipulated that for these reasons, the priest would be relieved from all duties pending the submission of a report of the committee appointed to investigate the matter. The Catholicos also appointed Episcopal Synod secretary Dr Yuhanon Mar Chrisostomos Metropolitan, Fr V.M Abraham Vazhakkan, and Adv K.K Thomas to look into and prepare a report regarding the recent issues that cropped up in the Nilackal diocese.