Diocese organising event in support of rape-accused bishop Photo Credit: BCCL Police officials escorting accused bishop Franco Mulakkal (File Photo)

Jalandhar: Currently lodged in the Pala sub-jail in Kerala, erstwhile Bishop of Jalandhar Franco Mulakkal was denied bail for the second time on Wednesday. However, a recent development suggests that the diocese of Jalandhar is attempting to garner support for the bishop who has been convicted for raping a 44-year-old nun multiple times at a convent in Kuravilangad between 2014 and 2016.

According to a report by the news minute, the Jalandhar diocese of which Mulakkal was the head until he stepped down in the face of an investigation is organising a procession in his support. Priests with the diocese have been informed of a 'rosary procession' which is to be organised to 'pray' for the rape-accused bishop at 5 pm on October 14 at the St Joseph Boys School in Punjab's Jalandhar city.

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(Bishop Franco Mulakkal being taken inside Pala sub-jail) [Photo Courtesy: BCCL]

Even more shocking is that Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) PC George who invited trouble by calling the nun who accused Mulakkal of rape, a prostitute, has been invited as the chief guest for the event. A poster invitation of the procession says that the meeting will be blessed by Bishop Agnelo Gracias.

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During the hearing of his bail plea on Wednesday, Mulakkal's legal team said that the grounds on which his first application was rejected have evolved. The prosecution had claimed that the accused bishop is a man who wields power and can influence the investigation, however, he is not the Bishop of Jalandhar anymore and does not wield that power, claimed Mulakkal's legal team. They also said that the accused bishop's health is deteriorating in judicial custody.

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