In Jalandhar, arrest sought

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 12

Raising slogans, activists of the women’s wing of the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI), the Janwadi Istri Sabha, gathered at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall today demanding that Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Jalandhar Diocese be arrested for allegedly raping a nun. They were led  by general secretary Neelam Ghuman and vice-president Raghuvir Kaur. 

Carrying placards with “We want justice” and “Say no to rape” messages and bearing pictures of the Bishop and the protesting Kerala nuns, they set out for Bishop House, but were stopped at a busy intersection by cops who had placed barricades en route. 

They were told they had not sought permission in writing for holding the protest. Bishop Mulakkal was reportedly away to Amritsar for a function at that time. The protesters raised slogans against the Kerala Police for “delaying” investigations in the case and dispersed.

 The PRO for the Jalandhar Diocese, Father Peter, said: “The protest by five nuns in Kerala amounted to disobedience and a rebellion against the Church. It is not correct for them to protest in public. They have disregarded hierarchy. Even if the nun had a grievance, she should have approached Superior General of the Missionaries of Jesus and then the Archbishop.

“The nuns, of course, have the right to approach the police and the civil authorities, but they have only been making up stories so far.”

On Bishop Mulakkal having been summoned by the Kerala Police on September 19, he said: “We have yet to receive any summons. The Bishop will certainly appear before the investigation team and cooperate.” 

There are reports that Pope Francis has convened a global meeting of Catholic bishops on the issue of sexual abuse.