The Nun rape case has been taking horrific turns day by day, as now the Changanacherry-based Catholic Federation of India, an independent body consisting of followers of Catholic Church is all set to launch a protest demanding the removal of nuns who have spoken out against the former bishop of Jalandhar diocese.
According to reports, the president of the federation P P Joseph has alleged that the convent has become a camp for people who are working against the interest of the Catholic Church and asked to remove the nuns who are staying at the Missionaries of Jesus convent in Kuravilangad.
“If the Save Our Sisters (SOS) begins the second phase protest against the Catholic church, we will launch our protest to oust the nuns from the convent,” Catholic Federation of India President P P Joseph told media.
Joseph went on to allege that terrorist groups and anti-social groups are behind the agitations against the Catholic church. However, a press statement by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) said that top officials from the Vatican have been following developments in Kerala.
“We were assured that the Holy See is closely following developments and is awaiting the result of a police investigation. We reiterated our confidence in the Judicial system of India, and trust the full truth will emerge and justice will be done for all,” according to the statement.
Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, is said to have raped a nun at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and exploited her sexually on several other occasions. The nun has registered a complaint in June this year and has been allegedly threatened by the accused of doing so. The congregation has also stood by the rape accused and referred to him as an “innocent soul”. We had also reported that Kerala MLA PC George had called the alleged rape victim a ‘prostitute’.
Bishop Franco Mulakkal was arrested by the police officials on September 21st after the investigating team finally found evidence that linked him in the sexual harassment case. The Kerala High Court has rejected bail plea of accused Bishop and also pointed out the availability of evidence to pursue the case and evidence shows that there are materials that prima facie show that the allegations against the Bishop are true and serious.
