GTA Catholic priest charged with sexual offences, removed from ministry: archdiocese
Written by The Canadian Press on December 23, 2025
TORONTO — The Archdiocese of Toronto says a Catholic priest in Brampton, Ont., has been charged with sexual offences and removed from the ministry.
It says James Cherickal is accused of one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference, an offence that applies when the victim is under 16 years old.
The archdiocese says in a statement posted on its website over the weekend that Peel Regional Police laid the charges on Thursday.
Peel police couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
The archdiocese statement says Cherickal was most recently attached to St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Brampton, and also served at other parishes across the Greater Toronto Area in the past three decades.
It says the decision to remove Cherickal from the pastoral ministry was made in accordance with its protocols and procedures relating to allegations of misconduct.
“As with any accused in our Canadian legal system, he is considered innocent until proven guilty and entitled to due process,” said the archdiocese.
“The Archdiocese of Toronto looks upon any accusation of misconduct as an urgent matter that requires serious attention.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2025.
Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press