Women activists to Pope: Remove Jalandhar Bishop for fair inquiry

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 25

Trouble for Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar Diocese seems to have amplified with voices being raised demanding his removal following an FIR alleging rape being lodged against him by a nun in Kerala last month.

On Wednesday, women activists requested the Vatican to advise Pope Francis to remove the Bishop from his post at least till the time the investigation was on. Leaders of various national women's organisations and human rights activists submitted a memorandum to Giambattista Diquattro, India Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican envoy), on the alleged sexual harassment of the nun.

Annie Raja, general secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women, said an impartial inquiry could be conducted only if the Bishop stepped down. The activists have already taken up the matter with the National Women Commission, which has assured all help to the aggrieved nun.

Earlier, the Joint Christian Council too had demanded the Bishop’s removal. “Bishop Franco Mulakkal and other priests who have similar complaints against them should be immediately removed. The churches should take immediate action,” the council had said.

A team led by Viakom DSP K Subhash was in Bengaluru last week interrogating two ex-nuns who served with the complainant when the offence allegedly took place (between 2014 and 2016).

The DSP said he would be meeting the Vatican representative in New Delhi next week to discuss the issue before coming to Jalandhar for the Bishop’s interrogation.

Kottayam police chief Hari Sankar said when his team would come to Jalandhar, a medical examination of the Bishop too would be conducted. “We have collected a lot of evidence in the form of written complaints that the Sister had filed against the Bishop. 

“But we are now talking to the witnesses with whom she discussed her problem at the time when she says she was actually suffering. An audio clip submitted by the complainant last week regarding a telephonic conversation between Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church head Cardinal George Alencherry and the nun, too, has been a big clue in the case,” he added.

Meanwhile, Father Peter, spokesperson of Jalandhar Diocese, said the demand for the Bishop’s removal was another vicious move against him.

“The Bishop will be fully cooperating with the Kerala police and is ready for all medical tests,” he said.