Four Nuns Told To Leave Convent For Backing Colleague Who Cried Rape

There seems to be no end to the turbulent times in the lives of the Kerala nuns who have been relentlessly standing with the rape survivor at their convent in Kerala. Four nuns supporting the Kerala nun, who was allegedly raped by Bishop Franco Mulakkal, have been now asked to leave their current convent.

The nuns have been handed over their transfer orders by the Jalandhar-based Missionaries of Jesus

The nuns told to leave the Kuravilangad convent are Sister Alphy Pallasseril, Sister Anupama Kelamangalathuveliyil, Sister Josephine Villoonnickal and Sister Ancitta Urumbil. The four have been reminded to consider their past transfer orders to move to other convents in Punjab, Bihar and Kerala. A fifth nun, Sister Nina Rose, who is also a staunch supporter of the survivor nun, has not been asked to leave yet.

The latest order issued this month is the third reminder that the nuns have been given concerning the previous transfer orders

Letters accessed by India Today TV show that Superior General Regina Kadamthottu has asked the four nuns to leave the convent as soon as possible "and not make the ongoing legal case an alibi to stay back".

After several months of protest and social media outrage, the accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal was arrested in September last year. However, he was released on bail soon after.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal has been accused of raping the nun multiple times for several years

The 45-year-old rape survivor, in her complaint, had said that on May 5, 2014, the bishop visited the convent in Kuravilangad and stayed in the guest house in room number 20. She mentioned how the bishop called her to his room at night and "compelled her to have unnatural sex with him". The next day, he attended a function that was organised by the nun.

The nun had earlier questioned the church officials’ irresponsible behaviour in dealing with the case. The Kottayam-based nun also alleged that because of his improper behaviour, at least 20 nuns were forced to leave the congregation. She also alleged that Bishop Mulakkal was using “political and money power” to “bury” the case against him. Various Catholic reform organisations have extended their support to the nun in this case.

She accused the bishop of raping her 13 times between 2014 and 2016. The bishop not only denied these charges, but also went on record to say that that nun has filed a case against him because of vendetta.

Also Read: Key Witness In Kerala Nun Rape Case Found Dead

Picture Credit: The Week