Thirty-seven Catholic priests from different parishes in Mysuru have written to Pope Francis to remove the Bishop of Mysore KA William over his alleged involvement in criminal offences, misappropriation of funds and sexual misconduct.

According to the reports, the letter to Pope Francis, who is the Vicar of the Catholic faith at the Vatican, written by the parishes accuses Bishop William of marrying a woman, who works as a staff in ODP, Mysuru. The Bishop has also been accused of practising factionalism and favouritism. The letter also accuses Bishop William over parenthood, sexual liaisons and corruption.

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According to the priests, Bishop married a woman, who was previously married and had a daughter from her first marriage, the second child, who is a boy, is borne out of the marital relationship with Bishop William. The woman’s husband had allegedly left her because of the illicit affair with the Bishop. The woman now lives with her children and the Bishop allegedly meets with her frequently and also looks after her family.

The priests released a press note stating, “This is an issue involving crimes of moral turpitude by Bishop William of Mysuru, involving financial irregularities, sexual misconduct, kidnapping and suspected murders.”

In their letter, the priests also highlight the numerous cases of sexual exploitation and corruption against Bishop William during his career in the clergy. In the Hinkal Parish, priests alleged that Bishop William had a sexual relationship with an Anglo-Indian woman and had made her a pregnant. The lady and child have now been shifted abroad.

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In another instance, as described in the letter, the priests allege Bishop William was also once caught in bed with a woman clerk-accountant in a room at the Bishop House by his workers.

“It is naked truth that the ladies who were working under him and cooperated sexually to him, have been given luxuries of the life by providing all amenities including multi-storied-buildings and job opportunities in the diocesan institutions,” the priests expressed in their letter.

The letter stated that Bishop William even preyed on the women and girls who cleaned the campus and narrated two cases involving the sexual liaisons of the senior clergy leader from Mysuru. The priests also threw some light on the criminal cases against the Bishop under various Sections of IPC 406, 420, 504, 506, 323

The letter to the Pope also highlighted the illegal land dealings carried out by Bishop William allegedly for kickbacks. These properties are currently under litigation.

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A case was registered by a man named Alex who was fatally beaten up by Bishop KA William when he was a parish priest. After William became a Bishop, he paid a huge sum of money to Alex to drop the case last year.

Meanwhile, Bishop William has denied any wrongdoings and said the allegations against him are far from the truth and the accusers did not even contact or discuss the matter with him. He further claimed that the allegations against him have not only damaged his reputation but also the Archdiocese of Mysuru and the Christian community.