Kochi: The church authorities are in a bid to rescue Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal facing sexual assault charges from a Missionaries of Jesus congregation nun. On Sunday, an audio tape of conversation of a priest with another nun offering the ‘victim’ 10 acres of land surfaced on the social media. Fr James Erthayil of Kanjirappally diocese purportedly held the compromise talks on behalf of the bishop, which lasted for around 11 minutes, both alluring and intimidating.
He also tells the nun who had endorsed the allegations that the compromise talk is all with the knowledge of the Jalandhar bishop house. He makes it clear that the offer would materialise if she withdraws the case. This newspaper has learnt that Fr Erthayil had visited the convent thrice.
Meanwhile, Kuravilangad police recorded the statement of the nun on the this. Vaikom DySP K. Subhash who is investigating the case said a case would be registered later. “We have taken the statement of the nun, and it would be presented before the court on Monday,” he told this newspaper. “A case will be registered only after that.”
