Following protests against the reinstatement of the Church pastor accused of sexual misconduct in the Church, the police have been deployed in Mettur to provide security.
The Holy Mary Christian Church functioning at Mettur, Salem district, is a prominent church that receives more than 1000 visitors each day. A woman who visited the Church last week is apparently involved in a romantic relationship with Sagayaraj, 55, who has served as the Father in this Church for more than 4 years. Salem District Bishop Rayappan fired the Church Father of Holy Mary Christian Church after learning about this father’s illicit relationship.
However after a short reprieve, the guilty priest apparently rejoined to the same Church. The churchgoers organised a demonstration in front of Holy Mary Church in order to have the Father accused of sexual misconduct removed. In this situation, a different group standing up for the accused Father argued with those who organised protests against him.
Following this incident, churchgoers have lodged a complaint with the Mettur Police, stating that if the Father who has been accused of sexual misconduct is engaged again, he should not serve in the Mettur Holy Mary Church since there may be a law and order concern.
Upon receiving the complaint, police promised to take proper action, and both groups left the area of the altercation.
(With inputs from Puthiya Thalaimurai and Kathir News)
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