GUWAHATI | September 19, 2026
C
hurch authorities have urged priests, religious communities and Catholic institutions to verify the identity and ecclesiastical credentials of clergy before permitting them to celebrate the sacraments or undertake pastoral ministry, following concerns over a person who presented himself as a Franciscan priest.
The latest development came on September 19 when Fr. Thomas Palakudiyil, TOR, Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular (TOR), St. Louis Province, Bangalore, informed NESCOM that the person had been identified and had previously been associated with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.).
In a message to NESCOM, Fr. Palakudiyil said the person was “absconding” from the evening of September 19 and that authorities were searching for him. He added that further details were awaited.
The matter first came to wider attention after Fr. Palakudiyil circulated a warning on social media concerning a person photographed wearing a brown Franciscan habit and stole.
In the message, the TOR Provincial stated that the person was claiming to be a TOR Franciscan priest from North India and was reportedly visiting convents, celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. He appealed for caution before engaging the person in ministry.
According to information received by NESCOM, the person was reportedly residing in Kasaragod, Kerala, and had also preached a retreat at a convent in Ernakulam.
Following the warning, the TOR Provincial began efforts to contact the concerned convent and a nearby parish priest to establish further details about the person's identity and activities.
Clarification sought from the Conventual Franciscans
NESCOM also sought clarification after receiving information suggesting that the individual might have had a connection with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
The Province of St. Maximilian Kolbe of the OFM Conventuals in Kerala was subsequently contacted. According to information received by NESCOM, the Provincial said that the person was not known to him as a professed member of the Province and had neither made religious profession nor received the Franciscan habit from the Province.
There were also earlier reports that the person may have spent some time in a Conventual minor seminary. NESCOM has not independently established the details of this association.
Bishop urges caution
The matter was also brought to the attention of Bishop Benny Varghese of Itanagar. In a message circulated to priests, brothers and sisters, the Bishop forwarded the warning from the TOR Provincial and urged Catholic communities to exercise caution.
“Please don’t allow people who claim to be priests coming to your houses to celebrate the sacraments without proper verification. Be cautious,” Bishop Benny said.
The incident highlights the importance of verifying the identity and faculties of visiting priests, particularly when they approach convents, religious houses or parishes to celebrate Mass, hear confessions, preach retreats or undertake other pastoral ministry.
Religious communities and Catholic institutions are encouraged to establish the identity, religious affiliation, priestly status and faculties of visiting clergy with the appropriate diocesan or religious authority before permitting them to undertake sacramental or pastoral ministry.
The TOR St. Louis Province in Bangalore maintains an official presence and directory of its friars. The OFM Conventual presence in India iS under the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, based at Assisi Shanti Kendra, Karukutty, Kerala.
NESCOM has not independently established all details concerning the person's identity, religious history or priestly status. The information regarding his identification and the reported search by authorities has been attributed to the TOR Provincial.
Further information will be reported as verified details become available.