dailyheraldtribune.com (Grande Prairie, Alberta)
17 March 2014 5:59:11 MDT PM
By Adam Dietrich, Peace River Record-Gazette
A new court date has been set for a Catholic priest from Manning charged with sexual offences against a minor earlier this month.
Counsel appeared in Peace River Provincial Court Monday for Father Abraham Azhakathu, 59, of St. James the Major Parish, who faces charges of sexual assault and sexual interference, both involving a minor.
Azhakathu did not appear in court, but was represented by the consul of record who asked that March 31 be set as date to submit a plea.
The judge ordered a new date for March 31, and also ordered a publication ban on any information that may identify the complainant.
Azhakathu was arrested on March 8 and released March 9 after a Judicial Interim Release hearing. His release included strict conditions not to be alone with anyone under the age of 16.
He can not live in Manning but must remain in Alberta.
Azhakathu had been on loan to the St. James the Major Parish since 2009. He is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle based in Kerala State, India.
The parish of St. James the Major is located in the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, which includes 68 parishes and mission statements across northwestern Alberta.
Manning is located about 256 km north of Grande Prairie and about 585 km north of Edmonton.
RCMP are continuing to investigate the potential of other victims. Anyone with information concerning this case are asked to contact the Manning RCMP at 780-836-3769 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
adam.dietrich@sunmedia.ca
i would like to get the current situation of this case. is possible to get the updated status of the priest.
There is a preliminary inquiry scheduled for Father Azhakathu on 21 August 2014
in the Peace River Provincial Court. It will start at 09:30 am.
I was unable to find out how many days it is booked for. It may be just the one day. It will – or should – be open to the public. There will almost certainly be a publication ban on all testimony and evidence but that does not negate people attending.
Click on this link to open the page for Father Abraham Azhakathu. Scroll down to “Next court appearance.” I generally keep people updated there.