The archbishop dismissed the priesthood for disobedience, abuse of power, and sullying the image of the church of a  Catholic priest who used to be the public relations officer for the Bhopal archdiocese. 

While priests’ dismissals on charges of sexual misconduct are not uncommon, punishment is rarely dealt out on disobedience and abuse of power charges, as in the case of 48-year-old Fr Anand Muttungal. This is the first such instance in Madhya Pradesh.

Muttungal had served as the archdiocese’s PRO for eight years before being removed in 2013.

Archbishop of Bhopal Leo Cornelio said in a statement on 26 November: “…By an official decree, Pope Francis has dismissed Anand Muttungal, the former spokesperson of the Catholic church, from the priesthood.”

The archbishop accused Muttungal of repeatedly disobeying church authorities, accusing its leaders in the public, engaging in trading and business, and bringing “public scandals to the church and its community”.

The punishment, called ‘defrocking’, means that Muttungal can no longer use the priestly dress, can’t administer sacraments, can’t teach in any Catholic institutions, and can’t preach or even read the Bible in churches.

The official communication from the papal office, accessed by ThePrint, dated 22 October, describes the “canonical sanction of dismissal from the clerical state” as “supreme and non-appealable and not liable to any recourse whatsoever”. It also says Muttungal has been “dispensed from priestly celibacy”.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

₹ 10 - ₹ 1000

NYOOOZ FRIEND

₹ 2000 - ₹ 5000

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.