In a significant development, a Catholic priest from Kerala's Syro-Malabar Church has been arrested in Canada on serious criminal charges, including sexual assault and a crime specifically related to minors. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora community in Canada and the church back in Kerala.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
Father James Cherickal, a priest in his sixties, was formally charged by the Peel Regional Police on December 18, 2025. The charges against him are one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference. Under Canadian law, the term 'sexual interference' explicitly refers to sexual crimes committed against children under the age of 16.
The Archdiocese of Toronto, where Cherickal had been serving, swiftly responded to the allegations. In an official statement released on December 20, the archdiocese confirmed it had learned of the misconduct allegation and that the priest had been removed from pastoral ministry following its established protocols. The statement emphasized the principle of innocent until proven guilty within the Canadian legal system but stressed that any such accusation is treated with utmost seriousness.
Background and Immediate Fallout
Father Cherickal hails from the Syro-Malabar diocese of Thamarassery in Kerala. He had been working in various parishes under the Archdiocese of Toronto for nearly three decades, having first moved to Canada in 1997. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as the pastor of St. Jerome's Catholic Church in Brampton, a role he assumed just last year.
The immediate consequence of his arrest and removal was the cancellation of Holy Mass at St. Jerome's Church for a significant period. Services were suspended from December 25, 2025, to January 3, 2026, disrupting the Christmas and New Year schedule for parishioners.
Beyond his parish duties, Cherickal was also involved with the Syro-Malabar mission in Canada, an institution established to cater to the spiritual needs of the large community of Catholic migrants from Kerala residing in the country.
The Larger Context of Kerala Priests Abroad
This incident highlights the prominent role played by clergy from Kerala in serving Catholic communities across the English-speaking world. Church sources indicate that Cherickal is one of hundreds of priests from Kerala who have moved to countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia to fill vacancies in local churches.
This migration is often driven by the substantial settlement of Malayali Catholic families in these nations. The Syro-Malabar Church, which is based in Kochi and is the most prominent Catholic segment in Kerala, has established numerous missions and parishes abroad to serve this diaspora.
Before beginning his long tenure in Canada, James Cherickal had served in various capacities within the Diocese of Thamarassery in Kerala. The case is now proceeding through the Canadian judicial system, while the church authorities in both Toronto and Kerala await the outcome of the legal process.
