Fears growing for missing Catholic priest
CONCERN was growing last night for a young priest who has been missing from his parish house for several days.
Father Martin Xavier Vazhachira, 33, a visiting priest to Scotland from southern India, has not been seen since complaining of feeling unwell on Tuesday.
The alarm was raised by parishioners in Edinburgh’s Corstorphine when he did not appear for Mass on Thursday morning.
It is understood that his belongings remain in the parish house and his car is still parked there. A church source said: ‘What could have happened is an absolute mystery. His phone is off, which either indicates that the battery is dead or it’s switched off.’
Inspector Craig Rogerson of Police Scotland said: ‘Father Vazhachira has been in Edinburgh since October last year and knows the Corstorphine area fairly well. However, we are also exploring whether he may have ventured further afield and so anyone with information as to his current whereabouts is asked to contact police.’
Father Vazhachira, a native of Kerala, arrived in Scotland in July last year, serving initially in Falkirk before being appointed to Corstorphine in October.
Last night, Father Sebastian Thuruthippillil, a friend of the priest, said: ‘We are all very worried for his wellbeing and would ask anybody who knows anything regarding his whereabouts to get in contact with Police Scotland.’
Police describe the missing priest as around 5ft 5in tall, with medium build, short black slightly curly hair and clean shaven.
Anyone with information can contact officers at Corstorphine Police Station.