The Salesian congregation in Tamil Nadu — once known for its discipline, integrity, and service to the young — is now facing an internal crisis that has drawn the attention of the Salesian Curia in Rome.
A detailed report filed by R. Joseph D’ Kennedy, a Don Bosco alumnus and India Representative of Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA), has accused Fr. L. Don Bosco, the Provincial of Chennai, of political collusion with the DMK, violating canonical law, and failing to uphold the dignity of the Salesian mission.
Rome has formally acknowledged Kennedy’s complaint and confirmed that it has “proceeded to inform itself of the issues mentioned” signalling that a preliminary internal investigation has begun.
Compromising The Dignity Of The Salesian Congregation
The controversy began when Fr. L. Don Bosco attended the Centenary Valedictory of Loyola College, Chennai, on 15 September 2025 — even as Loyola was under government scrutiny for academic fraud and other illegal and unlawful activities, including money laundering.
Loyola’s controversial partnership with Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA), Paris, had earlier been disowned by the Jesuit institution after coming under the University Grants Commission (UGC) scanner.
The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) had filed formal complaints with the UGC, the Ministry of Education, and the University of Madras. UGC officials later confirmed that Loyola had indeed been inspected by an expert committee, prompting Loyola to hastily delete references to DBIMA from its website, effectively throwing the Salesians under the bus.
“By attending Loyola’s centenary and lending it legitimacy, the Provincial chose to act as a crowd pleaser sacrificing the Salesian credibility – something a real priest would never do.” Kennedy wrote in his complaint.
The Loyola scandal deepened further when a Canadian priest, Fr. Omala, died under mysterious circumstances on Loyola’s campus — prompting the BJP to demand a CBI probe.
Kennedy accused the Provincial of turning a blind eye to these developments, calling his presence at Loyola “a betrayal of Salesian integrity.”
The Loyola–DBIMA, Paris Scandal: UGC Steps In
It was Kennedy’s RTI intervention that first exposed the illegal Loyola–DBIMA, Paris collaboration. He warned DBIMA, Paris, in advance about the consequences of its unlawful partnership with Loyola — a warning that went unheeded.
“Had DBIMA, Paris cared to take my warnings seriously and wound up their collaboration with Loyola College, they could have averted the serious embarrassment of being branded a partner in crime,” Kennedy said.
Following his RTI and LRPF complaint, the UGC issued a nationwide Public Notice on 27 July 2025, warning all institutions and EdTech platforms against unapproved foreign tie-ups.
Subsequently, a University of Madras inspection report revealed that Loyola College was illegally running its MA Philosophy programme off-campus — effectively functioning as a Bible College to recruit Jesuit candidates — in gross abuse of Minority and Autonomous status.
Canonical Violations And Political Allegiance
The complaint also highlights a direct violation of Canon 285 §3, which prohibits clerics from holding or accepting public offices involving civil power.
Kennedy points to Fr. Don Bosco’s appointment to the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission, allegedly gifted by the ruling DMK during his tenure as Vice Provincial. Despite this, he continued to hold the government-appointed position even after assuming charge as Provincial in February 2023.
A January 2024 report in Tamil magazine Kumudham Reporter noted that Fr. Don Bosco was “included in the Minority Commission as part of a political understanding”
Kennedy questioned the ethics of such dual roles, asking whether the Salesian leadership had the courage to investigate the “true nature of this DMK assignment.”
During his Loyola College address, Fr. Don Bosco openly flaunted his proximity to the first family of the DMK.
“Fr. Don Bosco behaves like a politician in cassock rather than a priest in the Salesian tradition,” Kennedy wrote, warning that such conduct erodes public faith and clerical integrity.
Misuse Of Don Bosco Schools For Political Activities
One of the most disturbing charges in the complaint is that Don Bosco school premises were used for political activities of the ruling DMK Government.
In August 2025, over 2,000 Greater Chennai Corporation sanitation workers staged a protest against the city’s push to privatize waste management that threatened their job security and dignity. During that protest — which was itself a response to unfair terminations and crumbling labour rights — several protesting workers alleged that DMK meetings were held inside Don Bosco school campuses, after which they were forced to clean the premises, an order they say came under pressure from civic officials. This allegation, voiced amid the larger labour struggle, has since been captured in viral video clips and figures prominently in the complaint.
“With the State Assembly elections around the corner, such irresponsible misuse of Don Bosco infrastructure must not be allowed under any circumstances,” Kennedy urged.
He warned that such political misuse could permanently damage the Salesian reputation and invite government scrutiny in the future.
Rome’s Response: “We Shall Proceed To Inform Ourselves”
On October 5, 2025, the Salesian Curia in Rome formally acknowledged Kennedy’s complaint:
“Thank you for your mail dated 4 October bringing the mentioned issues to our attention. We shall proceed to inform ourselves of the issues mentioned regarding the Salesians. Thank you very much for your concern as a Past Pupil of Don Bosco, for preserving the good name of Don Bosco.”
Christian activists interpret this as the beginning of an internal review, the first step before any formal canonical investigation.
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