Kerala: Msgr. Mulakkal, accused of rape, interrogated in court

The prelate must appear before the court of first instance. The police also took him to the place where the rape allegedly took place. A sister in the Missionaries of Jesus who protested against the bishop complains that she has been removed from all positions.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - In Kerala investigations continue into the bishop accused of rape. Today, Msgr. Franco Mulakkal, until recently ordinary of the diocese of Jalandhar (in Punjab) and accused of sexual violence against a sister of the Missionaries of Jesus, will appear before the judge in the Court of First Instance of Pala.

Bishop Mulakkal has been in the custody of the Kottayam police, who are leading the investigation, for two days. On September 21st he was arrested on charges of perpetrating sexual abuse against the nun for two years, from 2014 to 2016. After the arrest, the bishop fell ill and was admitted to Kottayam Medical Hospital.

Yesterday, the officers led the accused to the place where the violence took place. This is the room n. 20 of the Kuravilangad monastery, owned by the Church. The day before in the hospital he was subjected to the sexual potency test.

The bishop's case has occupied the pages of Indian newspapers for days. The episode came to the fore following a demonstration organized by five sisters of the religious who reported the rape. Now one of them, Sr. Lucy Kalappura of the diocese of Mananthavady, in the district of Wayanad, complains that she has been removed from her duties, including teaching catechism to the children of the 10th class.

The sister claims that the hierarchies of the parish in which she works, St. Mary's Church, together with the superior mother of the congregation, have decided to suspend all her pastoral activities, including the distribution of the Eucharist, the teaching of the Bible and the participation in prayers.

According to sr. Lucy, this is a retaliation for participating in protests against the bishop. The parish instead declares that the nun was removed following the complaints of the faithful, "who disapprove of her recent criticism of the Church on social media and have informed the parish priest, Fr. Stephen Kottakkal.  The faithful also had problems with the way she teaches faith and is involved in baptism activities. Sister Lucy was only informed by her superior of the people's sentiment. No restrictions have been imposed on her, either as a Catholic or as a nun ".