Kochi/Kottayam: As the nuns' protest at High Court junction here entered the third day on Monday, more people joined them demanding the arrest of Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal. Sr Teena Jose, the nun who stood with the five nuns from the Kuravilangad convent from the first day itself, said she will go ahead with the fight and was not afraid of facing action from the Church. Meanwhile, it is also learnt that the nuns will move the High Court on Tuesday over the delay in the bishop's arrest.
The nun from the Ernakulam congregation said, "police are not taking up the issue seriously. They should have arrested the bishop after getting the evidence. When I saw the protesting nuns and talked to them personally, I have decided that it's my responsibility to be with them," she said. The Church will be guilty if they stand with the accused bishop, and it is unacceptable at any point, she said. "The six sisters, including the survivor, are isolated in the congregation and as far as I know, they are alone in a room in the convent," she said.
Fr. Bur Yuhanon Ramban from Malankara Action Council for Church Act Bill Implementation who joined the protest said that the bishop should be expelled from his position before the arrest. BMS president C.K. Sajinarayanan, also joined the protest at Vanchi Square on Monday.
Congregation disowns nuns
The Missionaries of Jesus congregation on Monday condemned the sit-in strike being staged by five nuns of the congregation in Kochi and demanded an investigation into the external forces behind them.
A press release signed by Mother -General Regina and councillors Amala Virgin and Maria disowned the strike by the nuns who, it said, were siding with some organisations which have stood against the Church. Supporting bishop Franco, the release said, "we have come across an allegation that the congregation is not supporting the strike by the sisters and the sister who raised the rape allegation. Our conscience does not allow us to crucify an innocent person on the basis of the fake allegations being levelled by our sisters", the release said.
It said the allegations of the bishop sexually abusing the nun from 2014 to 2016 were baseless. It argued that the alleged sexual act was not forced, but consensual. "The sister alleged that the bishop sexually abused her on May 5, 2014. However, the bishop participated in the functions at the sister's house as per her invitation after the said date. The same sister coordinated the programmes of the bishop in the state till 2016. A person who is forcibly molested could not do this," it said.
"There are no norms in our congregation that one should participate at the functions of the congregation in which the bishop attends. In that context the allegations of the sister is doubtful," the release said.It accused the five striking sisters of flouting the norms of the congregation and residing at the Kuravilangadu convent. "Certain external forces have entered the convent with the help of the sisters and hurled death threat at us," it said.
