A 65-year-old Catholic priest associated with an NGO run by Loyola College in Chennai is reportedly missing since Monday.
Quoting police sources, a report in The Times of India said Fr Mariadoss Antonimuthu, member of the Society of Jesus, left his room on the college campus on Monday last and never returned.
Fr Antonimuthu worked as a treasurer of Pathai Illam, run by Loyola College for the welfare of the rural poor.
Loyola College secretary Joe Arun said the priest left his residence after breakfast at 10 am on January 17.
He was assigned to work in the Pathai Illam in Vallam near Thirukazhukundram in Chengalpattu.
However, he did not reach Pathai Illam. His mobile phone has been switched off. A woman staff of Pathai Illam informed the police that she spoke to Fr Antonimuthu after he left Chennai.
He reportedly told her that he was going for a prolonged meditation, a police officer said.
The report said the priest, a native of Pollachi, had done civil engineering and was working with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Later he became a priest 30 years ago.
