Transferred nuns request Kerala CM's intervention


Kottayam (Kerala), Jan 19 (IANS): The four nuns, who publicly protested last year demanding rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal's arrest, and were handed transfer orders three days back, on Saturday sought Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's intervention in the matter.

The nuns, who are presently attached to a Kuruvilangad convent near here, have been posted at four different places vide the transfer order issued on Wednesday.

In the letter, they requested Vijayan to see to it that the transfer orders were revoked as their only agenda was their wish to remain with the victim, who was yet to receive any sort of support from the Church and was only banking on them.

Seeking the intervention, they pointed out that these transfers were effected as they were all witnesses in the case against the then Roman Catholic Diocese head in Paunjab's Jalandhar, Bishop Mulakkal, who is accused of raping the victim nun repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.

Mulakkal was arrested on September 21, 2018, on rape charges after these four nuns joined the public protest in Kochi that forced the police to succumb to pressure from various quarters and take strong action against the bishop.

The nuns on Wednesday refused to accept the transfer orders and said they would remain in the convent at Kottayam, where they are currently posted.

Following the transfer orders though, the Mother Superior of the Missionaries of Jesus -- the congregation to which these nuns are attached to -- have gone on record to say that this was just a routine transfer that happened regularly.

Mulakkal had secured bail on October 16, 2018, and was back in Punjab.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Imtiaz Ahmed, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Please help these innocent Nuns who are fighting for justice.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Nicholas, CANADA

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Imtiaz Ahmed, Mangalore
    Nobody can help them until they give up their hood & come out of convent as until they are in convent it has set of rules & regulations which they are obliged to follow for their good & congregations betterment.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Lavina, Mangaluru

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    It is true, the wheel that squeaks the loudest gets the most grease! These nuns had the guts to stand up against injustice and lo, they are punished for that.

    It is really sad that State is requested to intervene in this matter which clearly indicates that the Church has failed miserably to stand by justice!

    I wonder what the other religious are doing in God's own country? Are they all afraid of the "wolves in sheep's clothing"?

    They will have to plead for intervention from the Vatican lest this malady spreads far and wide.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Mr. A. Norbert fernandes, Mangalore/Margao Goa

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Religious are bound by their 3 Vows 1) Powerty Chastity and the third and important is obedience.
    Shame on those white garbed wolfs? remember they are bound by the order of the superiors, they cannot refuse the orders. if disobedient they have to quit their religious life. so protest is one way and another way is obedience.
    If they being religious if they disobey the orders of superiors, they have no place to stay in that life.
    Where ever they are put in it is the responsibility of the superiors to see and now going to C.M. shame on them .
    The so called nuns obey the orders then lodge your protest
    God Bless you. all.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Prashant Karkera, Hejamady/Mumbai

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Kerala CM would interfere in religious activities ....
    And this transfer is convent's internal decision ....

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh Dsouza, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    These Nuns can either accept the transfer or resign their congrgation and leave their convent. They are educated and being professionals they can lead their life outside the convent also.
    Its always better to come out rather staying without self satisfaction and peace of mind.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Naveen, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    I feel pity on those nuns as well as those who were commenting endlessly on issues with other religion matters. Now those people must understand that we need to correct ours first before mocking others.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Willie Menda, Bangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Transfers are a common feature in any organization which has its own internal rules and regulations. Refusal to accept the transfer orders would amount to disobedience and thereby a misconduct on the part of the nuns. Now they need to start concentrating in and carry on with their own chosen work for which they have become nuns. Will they remain with the victim in their whole life time?

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalurian, Mangaluru

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Someone is innocent after a through inquiry by a court of law.

    Someone is guilty after a through inquiry by a court of law.

    But, in this media-driven tamasha, innocent may have been declared guilty, and guilty may have been declared innocent.

    But these four nuns do not belong to that convent.

    The CM can provide a special state-funded convent for them if they do not want to obey their superior's orders.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • True Indian, Udipi

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Why all of sudden raise issue of transfer...when they are in convent from last 3-4 years. Why did superior now taken action...keeping quiet from so long..??

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalurian, Mangaluru

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    They were actually part of the convents in North India (Punjab, Bihar, etc).

    They came and stayed at this convent without seeking anyone's permission. Their reason: "to protect the victim".

    So, all that the convent is saying: can you please go back to your allocated convents in the north of India.

    Convents (like any organisations) work on the basis of a set of rules.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    male or female who b came nun's & priest's committed to marriage da of celibacy & believe in christianity will not go 4 strike or agitation or will keep soft corners with da opposite sex lest dey wait 4 da court of justice in da almighty God. may all da pastors, nuns & priests b protected by da holy spirit.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • mohammed, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Probably Franco didnt know that rule.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Nicholas, CANADA

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Mohammed, Mangalore
    Until proven guilty he is just suspect.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilfred J. Lewis, Matpady-Brahmavar/ New York, USA

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Chief minister should ask them to resign/ retire as nuns and join his state cabinet as ministers.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • True Indian, Udipi

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Innocent nuns plea for justice. Nobody come forward for there assistance. When these nuns fully depend upon church aithorities leaving behind family people such things happen. Miracle itself a last option..will not occur in kaliyug.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Consensual Sex is not Rape ...

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Naveen, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Too low thinking..... at least spare those nuns who have spent respectful life in service of people.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Chittar Kumar, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    First of all, even consensual sex is not right for the clergy. If they have sexual urges and they want to satisfy them, they need to renounce their clergy life and join the common folks. Thinking through emotion is of no use though it is understandable when religion is involved. The strict laws which exist to outlaw sex between teacher/student, doctor/nurse exist for a reason. It is to prevent people with a higher position of authority to impose their will in a working space which is narrow, allowing the weaker person to be exploited. I am one of those who have been requesting the authorities to extend these laws even to the entertainment industry to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable women by the "male chauvinist dogs" in that industry.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • John V., Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai, Who told you that it was Consensual sex? The way you are supporting the bishop from the beginning makes me to wonder that you have witnessed everything. Even if it is consensual sex, is the bishop allowed to do it? Do you know that there is something called celibacy he has to follow? I think in your opinion this bishop should be exempted from celibacy.
    Besides, the issue here is transfer of nuns. The nuns are being transferred for their agitation. The transfer is sudden and only those 4 nuns who took part in the agitation are being transferred. The question is why the nuns are victimized? If they keep quiet, no nun will come forward to report such incidents going on in the Church.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    We are Minorities & still willing to accept the "Law of the Land" ...

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn D Almeida, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sat, Jan 19 2019

    Dear Nuns, you took OATH In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Obey your elders and immediately move. Please remember your ordination day and your final vows to God.

    Suffer for Christ and move on and work for poor. You are called for His Kingdom and not for this WORLD or CM of KERALA or INDIA.

    Reply Report Abuse


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