Bishop Agnelo, apostolic administrator in charge of congregation, has written a letter to the five sisters protesting against rape accused bishop Franco Mulakkal, informing them that there will be no action from the diocese to oust them from the Kuravilangad convent, tweeted ANI.
“There will be no move from Diocese of Jalandhar to oust you from Kuravilangad Church as long as you are needed for the court case.”Bishop Agnelo’s letter reads.
“I was surprised and dismayed at seeing the letter to Sr Neena Rose. I am giving a directive to the General that she will not issue any letters to the 5 of you without my explicit permission. This will be an order to her from me as Apostolic Administrator of the congregation – since it is of Diocesan Right, it comes under me,” Bishop Agnello said in the letter, reported The News Minute.
Months after four nuns spoke out against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was accused of sexually assaulting a nun, the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) had asked them to leave the Kerala convent and head back to their assigned convents.
Four nuns who were key witnesses against the accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, have been transferred by the church to different places in Punjab, Jharkhand, Bihar and Kannur.
The fifth nun was asked to appear before the authorities in Jalandhar, where Bishop Franco currently resides, on 26 January by the Superior General of Missionaries of Jesus congregation Sr Regina Kadamthottu .
“I would like to assure the five of you that as far as it lies within my power, there will be no move to oust you from the Kuruvilangad convent as long as you are needed for the court case,” Bishop Agnelo’s letter says concluding that the church would want the truth to emerge.
On Saturday, 9 February, the Save Our Sisters forum along with the nuns organised a one-day protest against the transfer orders.
(With inputs from The News Minute)
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