Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who has been accused of rape by a nun, on Saturday issued a circular stating that he is handing over charge of the administration of the Jalandhar Diocese to Fr Mathew Kokkandam. "In my absence Msgr. Mathew Kokkandam will administer the diocese as it is normal practice when I am away from the diocese," he says the circular dated September 13.
In the circular, Bishop Franco Mulakkal also thanked everyone, "For their continued support and prayers at the time of problems affecting the Episcopal Ministry."
ANI
"I request you to continue praying for me and for the alleged victim and her supporters who have come out against me so that divine intervention may bring about change of heart and the truth of the matter may be revealed."
¡°I leave everything into the hand of god as I await the result of the findings of the team probing the allegation,¡± he says in the letter.
Bishop Franco Mullakal is accused of raping a nun, and sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.
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Facing increasing stigma and persecution from local church authorities, the Kottayam-based nun had earlier written to Apostolic Nuncio Giambattista Diquattro ¨C the pope¡¯s envoy in India ¨C pleading that a ¡°speedy enquiry¡± be conducted into the case and that ¡°Bishop Franco be removed from his responsibilities¡±.
The bishop had, however, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and concocted", insisting she levelled those as the catholic order had rejected her demand for favours.