LUBBOCK, Texas — A priest from Slaton has been arrested and now faces a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges he committed indecent assault and unlawful restraint. The lawsuit also names the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock as a defendant.
The 73-year-old priest, Ammanuel Puthuparambil, was the focus of the lawsuit filed in Lubbock County. The woman is seeking damages for emotional distress, physical pain, medical expenses, and other claims associated with the alleged assault, which include battery and sexual assault.
Court documents indicate that on May 30, Puthuparambil instructed the church employee to report to St. Joseph’s Church and School, which was closed for the summer. It is during this time that the woman claims he restrained her and assaulted her.
In a warrant issued after his arrest on June 18, authorities cited allegations that Puthuparambil touched the woman inappropriately and attempted to expose her genitals. The nature of these allegations is serious, leading to the charges against him, which are classified as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a potential penalty of up to one year in prison.
The civil lawsuit further contends that the Catholic Diocese played a negligent role by allegedly failing to ensure the safety of its premises, allowing Puthuparambil to monitor the property. The woman is pursuing over $1 million in monetary relief.
Following Puthuparambil’s arrest, Bishop Robert Milner Coerver of the Lubbock Catholic Diocese announced that he had been immediately removed from his position and would be returning to his home monastery in India. Puthuparambil was released on bond from the Lubbock County Detention Center on June 24.
In response to ongoing litigation, the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock has refrained from commenting, respecting the legal process involved.
This incident has raised concerns about safety within religious institutions and has prompted discussions on the measures needed to protect individuals from potential harm in such settings.
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