By Jose Kavi

New Delhi: Cardinal Oswald Gracias, head of the Catholic Church in India, on September 21 expressed “full confidence” in India’s judicial system, soon after police in Kerala arrested a bishop in a sexual abuse case.

“We have learned from the media the developments in Bishop Franco Mulakkal’s case. It is a sad moment for all of us,” the cardinal, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said in a statement.

Bishop Mulakkal of Jalandhar was accused of subjecting a Catholic nun to rape and unnatural sex in a convent in Kerala during 2014-2016. He was arrested around 8 pm on September 21, after 15 hours of interrogation spanning three days.

Arrested bishop
The prelate had denied the charges and alleged the nun’s accusations were vendetta for taking disciplinary action against her.

However, the interrogators said they have collected sufficient evidences to prove the bishop’s guilt. After subjecting the prelate to medical examination they took him to the Police Club to spend the night. However, the prelate complained of chest pain and was admitted in Kottayam Medical College.

Police plan to present the bishop before a magistrate in Palai on September 22.

Cardinal Gracias said the bishops’ conference prayed for all involved in the case – Bishop Mulakkal, his accuser, Jalandhar diocese and the nun’s congregation, the Missionaries of Jesus.

The Church leader also said the Indian Church expects the law to its course and for the truth to emerge. “At the moment our prayer is for healing,” the cardinal concluded.