(ANS – Calcutta) – A priest of the diocese of Krishnagar, in the Murshidabad district  was arrested yesterday, 16 July accused of having molested a 10 year old student. Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Councillor for the South Asia Region expressed his dismay at the event and explained that the school at which the deplorable episode is said to have taken place although dedicated to Don Bosco, is not entrusted to the care of the Salesians.

The accusation was made by the father of the boy who - according to the head of the local police – declared that on Wednesday night the priest called the pupil from Class V who is a boarder in the hostel into his room and molested him. The police responded at once but the priest could not be found.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with the sexual abuse of minors is severe and carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

Fr Kanaga expressed his distress at the event involving a child and a man of the church which touches the name of the church. He repeated the Salesian option for the care and protection of the small ones especially those whose fundamental rights are violated and whose persons are not respected. In addition he clarified that the school dedicated to Don Bosco was entrusted 20 years ago to the diocese of Krishnagar, which kept the name of the school unchanged.

Published 17/07/2012