Among the various controversies dogging Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar is the formation of a new congregation by him – Franciscan Missionaries of Jesus (FMJ).

Many priests in the northern Indian diocese have voiced concern over the congregation’s structure and speed of growth, besides the seemingly ‘luxurious’ life its members lead.

Priests have not been forth-coming in discussing matters of the diocese since the rape charge surfaced against Bp Mulakkal, and later the mysterious death of a witness against him, Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, at Dasuya.

The students of the new congregation are housed in a palatial building on a huge property that was bought for several millions of rupees at Malupota village on the Phagwara-Nawanshahr highway near Banga. It is an air-conditioned building that was earlier the Sanskar International School set up by a Delhi-based group.

Currently, the seminary has some 80 students from Kerala. The seminary also plans to set up a regular school also on the premises.