A 52-year old Catholic priest and rector of an Christian pilgrim Centre in Kerala was allegedly stabbed to death near Kochi on Thursday by an assistant, whom he had recently suspended for "misconduct", police said. Fr Xavier Thelakkatt of the St Thomas International hill shrine 'Kurisumudi' in Malayattoor was attacked by sacristan (one who assists the parish priest) Johnny Vattekkadan with a knife on the footsteps of the hills.