A Catholic priest from Kerala, Father James Cherickal, has been arrested in Canada by Peel Regional Police on charges of sexual assault and sexual interference, which pertains to crimes against minors. The Archdiocese of Toronto has removed him from pastoral ministry, stating he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Father Cherickal, who has served in Toronto for nearly three decades, belonged to the Syro-Malabar diocese of Thamarassery.