Scottish Catholic Observer

Fr Martin Xavier Vazhachira of St John’s parish in Corstorphine was last seen on Tuesday afternoon.

“Fr 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 immediately,” Inspector Craig Rogerson of Police Scotand, said. “I would also urge Fr Vazhachira to get in touch with us, or with colleagues at the church, as soon as possible to let us know he is safe.”

33-year-old Fr Martin is a native of Kerela in southern India. He was ordained a priest of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate order in 2013. He arrived in Scotland in July 2016 and served initially in Falkirk before being appointed to Corstorphine in October 2016.

He was last seen at 1pm Tuesday afternoon in the environs of St John’s Church. The alarm was raised by parishioners after he didn’t turn up to offer Holy Mass on Thursday morning. The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh immediately contacted Police Scotland.

Fr Martin is known to have regularly go for walks in the Corstorphine Hill area and local residents are asked by Police Scotland to come forward if they believe they have seen him.

“We are all very worried for Fr Martin’s wellbeing and would ask anybody who knows anything regarding his whereabouts over the past three days to get in contact with Police Scotland,” said Fr Sebastian Thuruthippillil, a friend of Father Xavier’s said.

Fr Martin is described by Police Scotland as Indian, around 5ft 5ins tall with a medium build, short black slightly curly hair and a clean shaven face. Those with information can contact officers at Corstorphine Police Station via 101 and quote incident number 1307 of the 22nd June.