VATICAN-INDIA The Pope accepts the resignation of Mulakkal, Indian bishop accused of raping a nun

He was arrested in 2018 and later released on bail; in January 2022 he had been acquitted by a Kerala court, but the High Court later admitted an appeal. His words in a video message: “I resigned for the sake of the Jalahandar diocese.” The nunciature affirmed that they had already been asked, now a new bishop can be appointed.

Vatican City () – Pope Francis today accepted the resignation of Bishop Franco Mulakkal from the leadership of the Jalandhar diocese in India, the protagonist of the court case over allegations of sexual violence that a nun filed against him in September 2018 Mulakkal, 59, had been acquitted by the Kottayam court on January 14, 2022, at the end of a trial in which only 39 of the 84 people called to testify appeared.

Mulakkal was accused of having raped the former superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Jesus on several occasions between 2014 and 2016, while she was visiting the institute’s convent in Kerala, and of “abusing her dominant position”. The case – which caused great consternation among Indian Catholics – had come to light in September 2018, with the protest of five sisters who demanded justice for the nun. For her part, the prelate always maintained that the accusations were unfounded and defamatory, accusing the nun of wanting to discredit him in order to take revenge on her after having removed her from the leadership of the congregation.

Mulakkal – who was auxiliary bishop of Delhi from 2009 to 2013, before being called to lead the Jalandhar diocese in Punjab – had also been arrested over the affair in 2018, spending three weeks in jail before being released under bail. Already then, the Holy See had accepted his request to be relieved of his duties as bishop until the matter was clarified, and appointed a diocesan administrator in the meantime.

This past February, Mulakkal met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. In a video message posted today in which he comments on the matter, he claims that during the meeting he informed the pontiff of his decision to resign. “I did it for the good of the Jalandhar diocese and for a new bishop to be appointed,” he explained, adding that the tears he shed will lead to the reform of the Church. He also expressed his gratitude to those who had prayed and cared for him.

For its part, the Apostolic Nunciature in India recalled in a note that the High Court had admitted an appeal against the acquittal. He also clarified that – although no disciplinary action had been taken – Mulakkal’s resignation had been called for “for the good of the Church”, especially for the good of the diocese of Jalandhar, which needs a new bishop.