Thiruvananthapuram: The Syro Malabar Church has warned and sought explanation from Father Augustine Vattoly, a priest, for extending support to the nuns who had protested against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, facing rape charges.

The Church, in a letter to Vattoly, has warned him of “ecclesiastical” consequences for organising a dharna in front of the Secretariat at Thiruvananthapuram in support of the nuns. Mulakkal was accused of repeatedly raping a nun and was arrested in September, but was released three weeks later on conditional bail.

In her complaint to the Kottayam police in June, the nun had alleged that Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions.

However, Mulakkal has denied the charges. “I am told that such actions by a priest will seriously injure the good of the Church in public and will cause scandal among the faithful,” said the letter by Mar Jacob Manathodath of Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

“I strongly prohibit you from organising and attending dharna and similar activities. Disobedience will incur ecclesiastical actions as per norms of Church law,” the letter said and asked Vattoly to give a written explanation for his “actions.”

Kerala had witnessed massive protests in September demanding the arrest of Mulakkal. Four nuns had defied the Church and joined protests even as their congregation publicly condemned them for standing up for the victim nun.

However, Mulakkal was welcomed by his supporters with garlands and rose petals when he arrived in Jalandhar after he was granted conditional bail in the case.

He had given up his pastoral duties of Jalandhar diocese of the Missionaries of Jesus and transferred his administrative powers to Bishop Agnelo Gracious.