A Catholic priest in Brampton, Ontario, has been arrested and charged with sexual offences, leading to his removal from the ministry by the Archdiocese of Toronto.
According to the Archdiocese, James Cherickal faces allegations of sexual assault and sexual interference involving a victim under the age of 16. Peel Regional Police brought forth the charges last Thursday, with the arrest taking place soon after.
Both the Archdiocese and police have refrained from providing further details to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Cherickal had been associated with St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Brampton and had served in various parishes across the Greater Toronto Area over the past 30 years, including in Mississauga and Scarborough.
The Archdiocese emphasized that the decision to remove Cherickal from ministry was in line with their protocols regarding allegations of misconduct. They also stressed the presumption of innocence and the importance of due process in handling such cases.
This development has been regarded as a serious matter by the Archdiocese of Toronto, which considers any accusation of misconduct as requiring immediate attention.