Sat Jan 18 11:17:32 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Priests Accuse Police of Brutality, Church Media Commission Counters with Conspiracy Allegations
KOCHI, January 18, 2025 – Twenty-one Syro-Malabar priests filed complaints with the Police Complaints Authority on Saturday, alleging police brutality during an incident on January 11th. The priests, who oppose a synod’s decision on unified mass, claim they were roughly handled and verbally abused while being removed from the Archbishop’s House.
However, the Syro-Malabar Media Commission countered these claims, alleging the priests orchestrated a deliberate act of defiance, knowing their demands lacked legal basis. The commission asserts that the priests’ actions constituted a breach of law and order, necessitating police intervention to clear the Archbishop’s House. The commission further criticized the priests for allegedly staging a public display of purported injuries, involving nuns in their actions, and attempting to manipulate public opinion. The commission stated that some of the priests involved were newly ordained. The priests have also filed complaints with the state Human Rights Commission. Among those who filed complaints are Frs. Sebastian Thalian, Paul Chittilappally, Jerry Njaliath and Rajan Punnakkal. The commission highlighted the negative impact of these events on the public perception of the clergy and nuns.
First Piper 