Daijiworld Media Network – Kochi (SP)
Kochi, Oct 23: The sudden demise of a priest of this diocese, identified as Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara under mysterious circumstances has sent warning bells ringing for other witnesses in the rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, as Fr Kuriakose was one among those who testified against the Bishop.
As per Onmanorama, the nuns who are on strike seeking action against the Bishop, said that this incident has inculcated a fear of death in them. Sr Anupama, who is in the forefront of the agitation against the Bishop, expressed the opinion that Bishop Franco would not hesitate to ruthlessly remove whatever obstacles he comes across.
Sr Anupama
Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara
Bishop Franco Mulakkal
Protesting nuns
Sr Anupama stated that with the death of Fr Kuriakose, the protesting nuns had lost a person of immense importance and value in the case. Anupama feels that one among the protesters could be targeted next. While saying that she was taken aback by the grand welcome extended to Bishop Franco when he returned from jail, Anupama added that the nuns will do everything needed to see that justice is done, in spite of whatever physical and psychological challenges they may have to face.
She said that being rich and powerful, Bishop Franco would have arranged a grand reception for himself, and that the nuns are sad at the support extended to Fr Franco by the people. She said that the Bishop was known to smother voices of dissent and that the nuns would be supporting the complaint about the death of Fr Kattuthara irrespective of what might come in their way.
"When we initially dithered from filing police complaint against Bishop Franco, Fr Kuriakose was the person who provided reassurance and support. He was sympathetic to our story and extended full support to our case. He came out in the open and recorded statements against the Bishop and we are sad at his sudden death," Sr Anupama explained.
She said she has received a number of death threats after the protests began, and asserted that the nuns will not be shaken by these things as they are sure that justice will prevail at the end. She revealed that she is aware that churches had organized rosaries and special prayers for the accused Bishop. She pointed out that they decided to take on the Bishop after he tried to file defamation suit against a group of nuns.
Sr Anupama was in full praise for Fr Kuriakose, who she says was from her native parish and she has high regard for his sincere service to the diocese. "When Bishop Franco secured bail, we guessed something terrible would happen. But the death of Fr Kuriakose is shocking. We are concerned about our lives but are also aware that birth and death are not in our hands and fighting against injustice is the duty we have to discharge against all odds which might come our way. We are prepared to do that," she added, speaking to Onmanorama.