A Grand Island priest is behind bars, accused of sexual assault. According to a statement on the Grand Island Diocese website, the Nebraska State Patrol arrested Fr. John Kakkuzhiyil for First Degree Sexual Assault on an adult.
In the statement, Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt said he informed parishioners in Ord and Burwell in December that the priest was struggling with alcoholism and depression.
On December 6th, Kakkuzhiyil entered a drug and alcohol treatment program at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island. Hanefeldt put Kakkuzhiyil on administrative leave December 15th when the bishop learned that the State Patrol was investigating the priest. Kakkuzhiyil was dismissed from the treatment program on Wednesday, January 2nd. Hanefeldt then learned that the priest had been arrested by the State Patrol.
Below is the full statement from the Grand Island Diocese:
Bishop Hanefeldt has learned today, January 2, 2019, that Fr. John Kakkuzhiyil, a priest of the Diocese of Grand Island, has been placed under arrest by the Nebraska State Patrol in Grand Island and charged with first-degree sexual assault of an adult.
Most recently Fr. Kakkuzhiyil served as pastor of our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burwell. On December 1, 2018, Bishop Hanefeldt offered Mass in Ord and Burwell asking the parishioners to pray for Father Kakkuzhiyil for his continuing struggles with depression and alcoholism.
On December 6, 2018 Fr. Kakkuzhiyil entered the CHI St. Francis Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program and was dismissed from there on January 2, 2019.
When Bishop Hanefeldt learned there was an ongoing investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol regarding Fr. Kakkuzhiyil, he placed Fr. Kakkuzhiyil on administrative leave December 15, 2018. Pending the outcome of the investigation and treatment, the administrative leave remains in effect.
Bishop Hanefeldt asks for your prayers for all who are involved in this matter and in the investigation.
Court records indicate that a Valley County District Judge issued a protection order against Kakkuzhiyil after a woman reported a sexual assault.