Kerala Nun Who Led The Protests Against Franco Mulakkal Heckled, Forced To Leave Funeral Of Prime Witness In Rape Case

Sister Anupama, a Kerala nun, who had led the unprecedented protest in the state demanding the arrest of Franco Mulakkal, the then Bishop of Jalandhar, who was accused of rape, was heckled and forced to leave the church on Thursday where she had gone to attend the funeral of Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara, a key witness in the case.

A group of nuns including Sister Anupama had gone to the St Mary¡¯s Forane Church, Pallippuram in Cherthala on Thursday evening to attend the funeral where a group of pensioners raised objection after she began to speak to the media.

BCCL/ FILE

The parishioners alleged that the nuns were 'anti-diocese' elements out to dismantle Christian beliefs.

Sister Anupama who broke down in the face of the protests later told media that she was ¡®deeply hurt¡¯ by what happened.

¡°I know Father Kattuthara for many years. He has seen me as his own daughter.. we have only stood for truth,¡± she said.

She also added that no amount of intimidation and social isolation will make them go back from their demands.

PTI/FILE

Fr. Kattuthara a senior priest and staunch critic for Franco Mulakkal was found dead on Monday inside his room in Dasuya under mysterious circumstance.

The 67-year-old had earlier deposed against Mulakkal in the rape case and had told the media that he was aware of other nuns who had left the convent because of the Bishop.

Immediately after the news of his family in Kerala had alleged foul play in the death and wanted it to be probed.

According to them ever since Mullakal was out on bail, Fr. Kattuthara was under severe stress and had told his brother that his life could be in danger.

However Police and the Jalandhar Diocese, to which the priest belonged to have maintained that Fr. Kattuthara died of natural causes.