Devendra Kumar
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Franco Mulakkal as the leader of the Catholic diocese in the Indian city of Jalandhar, amidst allegations of rape and sexual abuse. The 59-year-old bishop was accused by a nun of raping her multiple times during his visits to her convent in Kerala state, India. The case became a major issue amid growing allegations of sexual abuse in the church.
Mulakkal, who was bishop of the Jalandhar Diocese in the northern state of Punjab, was charged with rape, illegal confinement, and intimidation of the nun. A group of fellow nuns launched public protests demanding his arrest in 2018, and he was eventually detained and released on bail. In January, a court acquitted Mulakkal of the charges, but the nun has appealed the verdict to Kerala’s High Court.
The nun, who has chosen to remain anonymous, alleged that Mulakkal had raped her multiple times during his visits to her convent, and that he used his influence as the official patron of her religious community, the Missionaries of Jesus, to intimidate her and cover up his actions. As the patron, Mulakkal had significant control over the community’s budgets and job assignments, allowing him to exert significant power over the nuns.
The case has been highly controversial, with many calling for Mulakkal’s removal from his position as bishop. The resignation of Mulakkal is a significant development in the case, and it is unclear whether Pope Francis accepted the resignation due to the bishop’s acquittal or the continued allegations of sexual abuse. The normal retirement age for bishops is 75, but Mulakkal’s resignation at 59 suggests that he may have felt pressure to step down due to the ongoing controversy surrounding him.
The resignation of Mulakkal is a major blow to the Catholic Church in India, which has faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse in recent years. The church has faced criticism for its handling of abuse cases, and the resignation of Mulakkal may be seen as a sign that the church is taking the allegations seriously. However, it remains to be seen what action will be taken to address the culture of sexual abuse and impunity that has been identified within the church.