bishop

Jalandhar

Franco Mulakkal

The parish vicar of a church in Kodanad Fr Maniparambil Nichlavos has been accused of trying to fast-talk the witnesses in the nun rape case as part of an ongoing concerted effort to save the rape accusedNichlavos’ visit to the mission home belonging to the Missionaries of Jesus Congregation in Kuravilangad, about 22 km off Kottayam on Saturday, gave credence to the allegation that he is acting at the behest ofbishopwho is presently lodged in Pala sub-jail after his recent arrest on charges of raping a nun.Incidentally, Nichlavos till recently was standing by the five nuns who went on a protest at Vanchi Square near the office of the Inspector General of Police in Kochi demanding the arrest of Franco Mulakkal. It was to Nichlavos the rape survivor nun reportedly confided her plight first.It is understood the priest switched loyalty to the rape accused bishop after the latter landed in Kerala following summons issued by the police to question him in the case.Meanwhile, Nichlavos visited the `home’ on Saturday morning. He spent reportedly well over half an hour in discussion with the five nuns whose testimony the police would be recording shortly in connection with the case.After he left the Kuravilangad home, the nuns led by Sr Anupama told the media that he tried to influence them by trying to make them feel 'guilty' for, what he described as, 'insulting' the Church by staging the recent protests and lodging complaint against the bishop.Nichlavos also told the nuns that people belonging to other communities were part of their recent protest.Anupama chose to respond saying that it was kind-hearted people and not followers of other religions who backed them in the anti-bishop protest.By now several attempts have come to light at the behest of the bishop to discourage the rape survivor nun from pressing ahead with the case.