Three More Women Accuse Kerala Bishop Of Sexual Misconduct, Nuns Protest Against Police And Church Inaction

Five convent nuns in Kerala's Kottayam took to the streets on Saturday (8 September) alleging laxity in the probe into a rape complaint filed by their colleague against a Roman Catholic church Bishop, Press Trust of India reported.

The nuns allege that the victim has been denied justice by the Catholic church, police and the government owing to no action being initiated against the accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar has been accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a nun who belongs to the Missionaries of Jesus. The alleged assaults happened on 13 different occasions between 2014-2016 at the nun’s order’s convent in Kerala.

"We are fighting for our sister. She has been denied justice by the church, government and the police. We are ready to go to any extent for ensuring justice to our sister," said one of the protesting nuns.

The nun sought to know why the Bishop has not been arrested despite sufficient evidence. She also asked what the church's stand in this matter is.

"Seventy-four days have passed since the complaint was launched against Bishop Franco. The police had recorded her statements several times. But accused Bishop was interrogated only once," said the nun.

They alleged that the police probing the matter was trying to sabotage the investigation. The agitators held placards and demanded the bishop's arrest.

The victim had also alleged that she had received death threats from unknown people two months ago. She had accused Jalandhar Bishop Franco of raping and having unnatural sex with her multiple times between 2014 and 2016.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kottayam, K Subhash while responding to a petition seeking speedy investigation, had informed the Kerala High Court on 13 August that the probe was proceeding effectively and impartially.

Based on initial investigation and available evidence, the police has said that the bishop allegedly raped the nun.

The accused bishop confined the victim to a guest room in St Francis Mission Home in Kottayam's Kuravilangad, the statement had alleged.

The case took another dimension as three more women have now accused the bishop of inappropriate actions. One nun, who has since left the church, told investigators Mulakkal touched her inappropriately several times, according to Mathrubhumi, a newspaper in Kerala.

As per the newspaper, the bishop also a nun forced her to hug him and had a habit of acting “in a sexually inclined manner.” The paper said two other sisters were also harassed by the bishop.