KOTTAYAM: The investigation team probing the nun’s rape complaint against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, on Saturday recorded the statements of Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of Pala Diocese, and Fr Joseph Thadathil, Vicar of Martha Marium Forane Church, Kuruvilangad.Earlier, the nun had told the investigating officer and said in her statement given to the Changanassery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court under Section 164 of the CrPC that she had complained to the two authorities about Bishop Mulakkal’s lewd conduct.
According to the police, Bishop Kallarangattu’s statement was recorded at the Pala Bishop’s house while Fr Joseph Thadathil arrived at the office of Vaikom DySP K Subhash, who is investigating the complaint.
The bishop said the nun had told him about the incident and did not file any written complaint in that regard. The nun came to the bishop as per the advice of Fr Joseph Thadathil, to whom the nun had at first disclosed the incident.
The Bishop advised her to submit a complaint to Vatican about Bishop Mulakkal’s misbehavior. The police said the statements of the Pala Bishop and Church vicar corroborate the points stated in the nun’s complaint.The investigation team is also trying to collect the statements of two nuns who left the Church about a year ago and are leading family lives at present. The nun who raised the complaint had stayed along with them while she was in Jalandhar.
Priest moves apex court seeking anticipatory bail
New Delhi: Fr Sony Varghese, who has been accused of raping a 34-year-old woman, moved the Supreme Court on Saturday seeking anticipatory bail. The matter is likely to be mentioned on Monday for urgent hearing. His lawyer A Karthik filed a petition that challenged the HC order that denied the three accused, including Fr Sony, anticipatory bail. The husband of the woman had approached the bishop and submitted a complaint against some priests. The issue took centre stage when a political leader took up the issue and requested the intervention of the police. A preliminary inquiry was ordered and the priests were made accused in the case.
Archbishop Soosa Pakiam says truth will prevail
T’Puram: Latin Archbishop M Soosa Pakiam said the Church wanted the truth to prevail and justice in the sexual abuse case against Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal. “The current developments are defamatory to the Church. But certain forces are trying malign the Church. No one should assume the smear campaign can destroy the Church. A complaint against the bishop will be sent to Rome by the province head and action will be taken by the Vatican,” he said.