Bishop Mulakkal writes to Pope, offers to step aside

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 17

Ahead of his scheduled appearance before an inquiry team probing the allegations of rape levelled by a nun in Kerala, Bishop Franco Mulakkal is said to have written to Pope Francis regarding his stepping aside temporarily.

In a press note shared with the media today, Father Peter Kavumpuram, Jalandhar diocese PRO, said: “Bishop has expressed desire to step aside and requested to be relieved from the administration of the diocese.”

He has mentioned that he has been summoned by the Kerala Police on September 19 and that he needs time for travelling and preparing his case.

The Bishop is learnt to have taken the decision after meeting his legal advisers, who reportedly suggested him that he should step down before the Vatican asks him to do so.

A few days ago, he had issued a circular to the priests of Jalandhar diocese that Monsignor Mathew Kokkandam will administer the diocese as is the normal practice while he is away, but today’s release clearly specifies that he has chosen to step aside temporarily and that he has written it officially to Vatican.

The Bishop House, local clergy and Jalandhar police have been silent on the whereabouts of Bishop. Most priests closely associated with him either kept their phones switched off or chose not to reply to calls and messages sent to them.