Indian bishop denies claims of fathering children

Indian bishop denies claims of fathering children St. Philomena's Cathedral in Mysore,

A bishop in southern India has dismissed allegations of being a womaniser and fathering two children; he says the claims are a retaliatory response from priests opposed to his administrative reforms.

Ucanews.org reports that Bishop Kinnikadass William of Mysore told a news conference: “There is no truth in the allegations. A group (of priests) are behind it because of administrative reforms I introduced.”

The 54-year-old bishop spoke to the media after 37 of the 100 odd priests in the diocese wrote to the Vatican and its papal representative in India, plus other heads of Church bodies in India.

The letter alleged that Bishop William has had sexual relationships with at least 10 women. He is the father to two children, ages 12 and 5, it said. The letter, also circulated in media, sought action against the bishop.

“If the allegations were true, I would not have been made a bishop,” Bishop William told media.

His detractors say he also has misappropriated diocesan funds. The priests allege his 12-year-old son studies in “a highly expensive residential school affordable by the rich and the elite. The mother is unemployed.