Kozhikode— A Kerala-born Catholic priest, Father James Cherickal (60), has been arrested and charged in Canada with serious sexual offence allegations, including sexual assault and sexual interference involving minors, Peel Regional Police and the Archdiocese of Toronto confirmed in official statements.
According to the Peel Regional Police, Cherickal was arrested and formally charged on December 18, 2025 with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference — a legal term under Canadian law that specifically refers to sexual offences involving children under the age of 16.
In response to the charges, the Archdiocese of Toronto has removed him from all pastoral duties and placed him on administrative leave while the matter proceeds through the Canadian court system. The archdiocese emphasised that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty and is entitled to due process under Canadian law.
Father Cherickal, a native of Kozhikode in Kerala, had been serving in various parishes under the Archdiocese of Toronto for nearly three decades. He most recently served as pastor of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Brampton, Ontario — a role he held since 2024 — and previously worked in parishes across the Greater Toronto Area, including Mississauga and Scarborough.
The Archdiocese issued a statement on December 20 acknowledging that it had learned of the alleged misconduct and followed established protocols for allegations of abuse, stressing the seriousness with which such accusations are treated within the church’s procedures.
In light of the arrest, St. Jerome’s Church cancelled several scheduled Holy Masses between December 25 and January 3, reflecting the impact on the local parish community.
At present, no further details about the alleged victims or specific incidents have been released, as authorities have stated that additional information is limited to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.
This development highlights ongoing international concerns over abuse allegations involving clergy and underscores the legal and moral scrutiny facing religious institutions worldwide.
