I want to call your attention to my column in the current edition of the OND. As you may know, media and online journalists have reported that Father Jeyapaul has been placed back in public parish ministry by his bishop in the Diocese of Ootacamund, India. Mr. Jeffrey Anderson has filed a lawsuit against Father Jeyapaul’s bishop for making such an assignment. In my column, I report the following:

I thought it important that I inform you as your bishop that I have been in contact with the bishop in Father Jeyapaul’s home diocese in India and have been assured that he has not assigned Father Jeyapaul to public ministry. In fact, the bishop has ordered Father Jeyapaul to have no ministry in any parish, including saying Mass. He has further ordered Father Jeyapaul to have no contact with minors. He has directed Father Jeyapaul to live in a home for retired clergy. “Suspension” is a technical term in Canon Law, and although Father Jeyapaul’s suspension has been lifted, the severe restrictions on his living and acting mentioned above are firmly in place. At no time after returning to India has Father Jeyapaul been assigned to public ministry.

As you can see, this is clearly not what has been reported by Mr. Anderson and the press and others.