Archive · 30 Dec 2025
Kerala Priest Arrested in Canada for Sexual Assault
A priest named Father James Cherickal from Kerala, India, was arrested in Canada.
He is accused of sexually assaulting a child.
He has been working in Canada for almost 30 years.
The church where he worked, St. Jerome’s in Brampton, has stopped its services for a while.
The church says he is innocent until proven guilty.
Many priests from Kerala work abroad to fill vacancies.
Before moving to Canada, he worked in Kerala.
The church is taking the allegations very seriously.
Father James Cherickal, a priest from Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Church, was arrested in Canada for sexual assault and sexual interference involving a minor.
He has been removed from his pastoral duties at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Brampton.
Cherickal had been working in various parishes under the Archdiocese of Toronto for nearly three decades.
The Archdiocese of Toronto stated that they take allegations of misconduct seriously and follow due process.
St. Jerome’s Church cancelled Holy Mass between December 25 and January 3 following his arrest.
- Who
- Father James Cherickal, a Catholic priest from Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Church
- What
- Arrested for sexual assault and sexual interference involving a minor
- When
- Charges filed on December 18, 2025
- Where
- Brampton, Canada
- Why
- Allegations of misconduct leading to arrest and removal from pastoral ministry
- Priest's Name
- Father James Cherickal
- Charges
- Sexual assault and sexual interference
- Location of Arrest
- Canada
- Church Affiliation
- Syro-Malabar Church, Diocese of Thamarassery
- Current Assignment
- Pastor of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Brampton
- Duration in Canada
- Nearly three decades
- Age of Priest
- In his 60s
- Date of Charges
- December 18, 2025
