Leaders of various national women’s organizations and human rights activists in India have requested the Vatican to advise Pope Francis to remove Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar from his post at least until an investigation was on his alleged sexual harassment of a nun. The women leaders on July 25 submitted a memorandum to Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro.
A member of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation in June filed a police complaint against the bishop alleging that he had sexually abused her several times during 2014-2016.
One of the women leaders, Annie Raja, general secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women, said an impartial inquiry could be conducted only if the bishop stepped down. The activists have already taken up the matter with the National Women Commission, which has assured all help to the aggrieved nun.
