A group of parishioners has supported Bishop K.A. William of Mysore after 37 priests of the diocese wrote to Pope Francis demanding the prelate’s dismissal. The parishioners on November 5 shouted slogans in support of Bishop William when a laity group from Mumbai, Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC), came to Mysuru (formerly Mysore) to protest against the prelate.

The local Catholics questioned the veracity of the allegations and held a meeting at the Bishop’s House on Mother Teresa Road. Tension prevailed after they tried to prevent media persons from recording the meeting but police intervened and pacified them, reports The Times of India.

The bishop also said every-thing said about him and Father Morris was “a complete lie. If you examine this, you will under-stand it is a concocted story.” “If given to a producer, a film can be made of this.”

He said an “unhappy group” was behind the allegations to malign the Catholic community’s image and that he was willing for any discussion.