PRESSURE MOUNTS ON BISHOP
The Archbishop of Mumbai has conveyed that Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar, who is embroiled in a rape scandal, should step down and let an inquiry take its own course. In June, a Kerala nun had filed a case against the bishop, accusing him of raping her 13 times. As per the police affidavit the victim was repeatedly raped and was also victim of ‘unnatural sex’.
The Archbishop feels that the reputation of the church, not just in Kerala but all over the country, is at stake and stepping down would be the right thing to do, and if the bishop isn't guilty, then he can very well be reinstated.
With pressure mounting from all sides, especially women's groups and civil society, the Kerala police on Wednesday decided to summon the Bishop for questioning on September 19.
The Kerala High Court has asked the police for details on the steps taken as part of the investigation into the rape case.
In another twist, he brother of the nun has claimed a relative of Franco Mulakkal and two other priests had approached his friend and conveyed that they were willing to give Rs. 5 crore if the nun withdraws her complaint.
Four nuns, who support the complainant, joined protests near the Kerala High Court in Kochi. Protests were also held in Jalandhar. The former spokesperson of Syro-Malabar Church said the Mother Superior has issued a letter to the nuns asking them not to speak on the issue.
The Missionaries of Jesus Congregation, which is backing Bishop Franco Mulakkal, hit out at the protesting nuns, saying it would approach the Kerala police chief to probe what they call is a conspiracy by external forces against the church and the bishop. Only the Vatican can initiate an enquiry in the case. Interestingly, Archbishop of Mumbai Oswald Gracias is one of the nine cardinal advisers appointed by the Pope and is currently in the Vatican.
By an uncanny coincidence, the Vatican is currently seized of the accusations made by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the former chief Vatican diplomat in the United States who has accused the Pope of covering up sexual abuse and giving comfort to a "homosexual current" in the Vatican.