Save Our Sisters (SOS), a non-governmental organisation, has written a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requesting government intervention and protection for the nuns who agitated against Bishop Franko Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun.
“The rape survivor and the other five nuns who supported her in the case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal are facing an imminent threat of being separated and sent away from Kerala by the Missionaries of Jesus,” the letter to Vijayan read, as quoted by ANI.
“We call upon the government to initiate immediate action to forestall the move to remove them from their present convent where the government is giving protection, till the trial is completed,” the letter said.
The Catholic Church in Kerala transferred five nuns – Sister Alphy Pallasseril, Sister Anupama Kelamangalathuveliyil, Sister Josephine Villoonnickal, Sister Ancitta Urumbil and Sister Neena – from the Missionaries of Jesus convent in Kuravilangad. There are the nuns who had participated in protests against Mulakkal. They were later asked to comply with the order and move out of the congregation’s premises.
Mulakkal has been accused of raping a nun belonging to the order of Missionaries of Jesus several times between 2014 and 2016. He spent three weeks in Pala jail last year before he getting bail.
Sister Neena also received a letter from the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) congregation to report to Generalate at Aradhana Bhavan, Jalandhar Cantonment, Punjab, and meet Superior General Regina Kadamthottu to explain her decision to protest against the Bishop,The News Minute reported.
However, the nuns told The Quint that this is just an effort to isolate each one of them, harass them and close the case but they are strong and will stand together.
(With inputs from ANI and The News Minute)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)