Kochi: A bishop who raised a storm following his decision to adopt a 39-year-old woman as his daughter has been suspended.
The order to suspend bishop John Thattunkal of Kochi was issued by Pope Benedict XVI and conveyed to Verapoly Arch Bishop Daniel Acharuparambil, who is the supreme head of the Latin Catholics in Kerala, and conveyed on Thursday evening.
The Arch Bishop has been appointed as Apostolic administrator of the Kochi Dioceses with full authority, sources said.
A three-member Bishops council, appointed by Acharuparambil, will probe the allegations against the Bishop and submit its report to the Arch Bishop. The report will then be sent to the Pope.
Thattunkal had two days ago called a special meeting of the priests under his dioceses and apologised for his action. The priests declined to accept his apology and demanded his resignation.
Thattunkal has mentioned that he was prepared to resign and nullify the adoption, if asked by Vatican.
The Arch Bishop will have the complete charge of the Kochi dioceses from today, Church sources said.
This is the first time in the 2000-year old history of the Catholic church in India that a Bishop has been suspended, the sources said.
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