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People also allege that Bishop Franco fears that the church leadership may stand against him if gets arrested when he sits as the chief of the diocese
Jalandhar diocese Bishop Franco Mulakkal has been accused of rape and unnatural sex with Kerala nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016. Bishop Franco has sent a letter to Pope Francis, requesting to accept his resignation from the post of Jalandhar diocese.
The letter was sent to Pope Francis following the summons notice issued by Kerala police to Bishop Franco asking him to appear before the investigation team on Wednesday. It has been hinted that the Bishop chose to resign since an arrest is likely following the questioning.
Bishop handed over the letter to the Vatican’s representative in New Delhi on Sunday. He had also handed over his responsibilities to another priest as he is flying to Kerala for investigation. People also allege that he fears that the church leadership may stand against him if gets arrested when he sits as the chief of the diocese.
“Allow me to step down from the Bishop's post temporarily. The police have sent a summons notice to appear for interrogation on September 19. I will cooperate with the investigation. I need more time to focus on the case. Therefore, allow me to step down from the post,” mentioned the Bishop in the letter.
“I believe that my innocence will be proved soon. I will move forward focussing on the case since the high court has made some remarks pointing to my innocence,” he added.
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