A former church assistant who went absconding after allegedly killing a 52-year-old Catholic priest near here was arrested today, the police said. The accused, Johnny Vattekkadan (56), was nabbed from a forest in Malayattoor following a massive manhunt, they said. Police had yesterday recovered the weapon used in committing the crime. Fr Xavier Thelakkatt, who is also the rector of St Thomas International hill shrine 'Kurisumudi', was allegedly stabbed to death yesterday by former sacristan Johnny, whom he had recently suspended from the post for "misconduct", the police said. Thelakkatt, who suffered grievous injuries, died while being rushed to a hospital in nearby Angamaly, they said. The priest was attacked while he was climbing down Kurisumudy, a hilltop believed to have footprints of St Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Johnny was suspended from the post of sacristan some weeks ago for his alleged misconduct. Thebody of the priest, handed over to the Church authorities after autopsy, was kept in Malayattoor Church for the public to pay their last respects today. The funeral would be held in East Cheranallore tomorrow, a Church spokesman said.
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