Vatican suspends Kerala Bishop over adoption of young woman

Vatican has suspended the controversial Kerala Bishop who adopted a young woman as his daughter.

Pope Benedict XVI conveyed his decision to Verapoly ArchBishop Daniel Acharuparambil on the suspension of 58–year–old Bishop John Thattumkal.

The Pope also directed the Archbishop to appoint a three–member Bishop's council to investigate on the adoption and several other charges leveled against him.

Bishop Thattumkal belonging to the Verapoly Latin Archdiocese stirred a controversy adopting the woman hailing from a non–Catholic family in Pathnamthitta district, as a measure of spiritual renewal. He is reported to have met the woman during a pilgrimage to Europe last April.

Following an investigation by the Catholic Church, it was found that he had violated church discipline. He was later detached from the duties of a parish vicar.

"I only have fatherly love towards the woman who has spiritual powers. This relation is giving me spiritual refreshment," Thattumkal was quoted by Mathrubhoomi, a Malayalam newspaper, as saying.

Meanwhile, the adopted woman considers the suspension as the "will of God".

A national daily quoted her saying she would “continue as the spiritual daughter of the grand papa (as the woman calls the bishop) as long he (bishop) likes.” She also told the paper that her “spiritual powers have helped the bishop solve many crises in the diocese.”