india

Updated: Jan 19, 2019 23:16 IST

A day after the synod of the Catholic church warned agitating nuns and priests, the four nuns of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, who supported their fellow nun after she filed a rape complaint against the former bishop of Jalandhar, has written to the chief minister narrating their plight and sought his help to continue in the convent.

In the letter the nuns who were asked to vacate convent by the church said they were facing serious threat to their lives and fear the fate of Father Kurialkose Kattuthara, one of the witnesses in the case against the deposed Jalandhar Bishop Fraco Mullakkal, who died under mysterious circumstances three months ago.

“The accused bishop is very powerful in all aspects. His aim is to sabotage the case and go scot free. Our lives are in danger. If our transfer is affected we will not be in a position to give evidence in the case daringly,” read the letter signed by four nuns (Sister Anupama Kelamangaletuveli, V Josephine, Alphi Pallasseril and Sister Ancitta Urumbil).

They also mentioned the isolation and stepmotherly attitude they face at the convent. “Covent authorities are not providing minimum requirements for our sustenance, including treatment. If we are sent out of Kerala it would definitely affect the prosecution. Their aim is to single out the victim and weaken the case,” said the letter. They also sought the CM’s help to continue in the convent till the case against the deposed bishop met its logical conclusion. “We once again praying for justice to ourself and the victim. We have no other place to go or means to support us. So compassion may be shown on us,” they said in the letter copies of which were also sent to the state police chief and state women commission chairperson.

In last June, a mother superior had complained to police that Mullakkal had raped her 13 times between 2014 and 2016. Five nuns later staged a sit-in protest in Kochi seeking his arrest. Police had arrested him in September after several rounds of questioning. After spending three weeks in judicial custody, he later secured bail. Two weeks after his release, the main witness in the case of Father Kurialkose Kattuthara was found dead in Punjab.