Rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal being escorted by police officials (File Photo) | Photo Credit: BCCL

Jalandhar: Accused of raping a 44-year-old nun while confining her to a room at a convent in Kerala's Kuravilangad, former Bishop of Jalandhar Franco Mulakkal is currently out on condition bail granted to him by the Kerala High Court. Even as he has been directed to be present before the Investigating Officer once every two weeks, church machinery has come out brazenly in support of the rape-accused bishop.

A monthly magazine published by the Diocese of Jalandhar, Christward's latest issue carries a news bulletin which uses terms such as 'the suffering church' to describe the current situation. Going further, the magazine claims that "pressure from the media and the scenario created by some Sisters and their supporters" led to Mulakkal's arrest by a special investigation team (SIT) led by the DSP of Kottayam.

(Bishop Franco Mulakkal being taken inside the Pala sub-jail)

Directed by the Kerala High Court to investigate the matter, the SIT claimed that evidence gathered by them against Mulakkal suggest that the nun was raped by him. On the basis of their investigation, Mulakkal was lodged in the Pala sub-jail after he stepped down from his position as the Bishop of Jalandhar. Bishop Franco has maintained that the allegations against him are part of a 'slander campaign'.

Ever since his release from the Kottayam prison on October 15, church machinery has stepped up its efforts to support Mulakkal and portray him as a creature of circumstances. In fact, several top priests and bishops visited the accused in prison during his stay but none of them was seen visiting the nun who was allegedly raped by him for over two years. Upon his return from prison, Mulakkal received a hero’s welcome by parishioners and followers in Jalandhar.

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