John Victor...

 Dear Archbishop,

Greetings!

With a heavy and aching heart, Fr. John Victor informed me that he is relieved from office as Parish Priest of Lourdepuram, where he was appointed hardly four months ago, after his ministry in the UK. 

I am unaware of the transactions between him and the archdiocese. 

However, as one who happened to live with him here, I cannot but express my concern and solidarity with him, a brother priest. This note comes from that mind.

Since quite some time he has been wandering, as a “Vagus” in his own words, undergoing mental agony which could burst out at any time. Among the many wounded sheep, he may be just another and the archdiocese could get along without them, though Jesus came to seek such as they.   

When he is removed from office with no further assignment, it could be nothing but a punishment. And if it happens to be published as usual in the Chancery page of “Samanwaya”, it could become a cause for celebration for all who were working against him, in and outside the parish. 

Now, I wonder whether the relieving order was issued after 'due process' of law and justice?

While accepting the 'authority' of an ordinary over his priests who are under vow of 'obedience', let me state that no authority or right is absolute or arbitrary.

The so-called entire process, if at all any, was nothing other than personal meetings between the accused victim and the authority with seemingly no written complaints or submissions from either side.

- What was he really accused of and who are all the accusers?

- Could they substantiate them with facts and figures?

Was he given his rightful defence before the accusers?

While explicitly mentioning his meritorious service there in your relieving order, could you kindly convince him of the real ground for his relieving?

In this case, justice seemingly is denied to him. In spite of having participatory structures at all levels, not even a committee was constituted to hear both sides and present a report on it. 

Nor a platform was given, where he could defend himself against the accusations.  

The spirit of Canon 1720*2 is not seemingly respected in this case. Before any punishment, is not due process is mandatory? Having the punishment already been given, it calls for the application of Canon 1341.

Since the third-party investigator was not appointed in this case as per Canon 1717 the penal process so far taken “appears to be superfluous” at all counts. 

As per Canon1321, could we ever find “malice and culpability” in the parish administration of Fr. John Victor?

The relieving letter just says that he is relieved and it does not speak about the reason for the penal action as per Canon 1720*3.

Last time when you met him, you seemingly asked him to change his approach. In spite of his request at one of the meetings for time to explain his stand, you seemed to have been so angry that he literally knelt down begging for a chance to explain his position. Should this vow of obedience make people/priests stoop down and be a ground to deny them justice?

As I understand, he recently expressed his willingness to continue in Lourdepuam or even to move out from there, if the archbishop insists still. 

Having categorically expressed his obedience, you seemingly have insisted that what he committed orally be given in writing. Trusting you, he obliged that even. And that turned out to be a Trap to punish him.   

My assessment leads me to think that the archdiocese has wronged him. However, there still is room for extending a helping hand and bringing him back for the good Shepherd to serve His Kingdom. Kindly consider that option.

Let me conclude, calling to mind, the scene wherein, how Jesus managed the accusing crowd presenting him with a woman caught in adultery and pressing him to concur to the dictat of Moses to stone her to death! (Jn 8:3-11).

"Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." -Mt 9: 13

Expecting your response and his reinstatement at the earliest and thanking you, i remain,

Thanking you,

Pancretius.