Mysore enquiry on track

By chhotebhai

Kanpur: The Vatican appointed Enquiry Commission into the grave allegations against Bishop K A William of Mysore seems to be heading in the right direction. The enquiry comes after 37 priests of the diocese and several lay leaders leveled serious charges against William.

The bishop is alleged to have fathered several children, kidnapped a woman, murdered two of his priests, and misused or diverted diocesan funds to finance his alleged mistresses and launch a vendetta campaign against all those who have complained against him. Criminal cases filed by victims of his alleged violent acts have been either withdrawn or allowed to lapse, and notices or cases have been filed against those who have complained about him to ecclesiastical and civil authorities.

During the tenure of the former Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, no action was taken against William. Diquattro, on his sudden transfer to Brazil, has already fallen foul of the Brazilian bishops for cozying up to Brazilian dictator President Bolsonaro. After his removal the nunciature in New Delhi seems to have sprung to life.

A three member enquiry commission — comprising Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, Bishops Jebamalai Susaimanickam of Sivagangai and Alex Vadakkumthala of Kannur — has been appointed to investigate the matter.

The enquiry is being held at Vidyaniketan, the Divine Word Society’s house on the outskirts of the city of Mysuru (earlier known as Mysore). Since it is not being held in the Bishop’s House the witnesses feel relatively free to express themselves.

Sources in Mysuru have informed the Indian Catholic Forum (ICF), which had earlier spearheaded the case with the nuncio; that over the last three days 30 priests have testified and seem satisfied with the direction that the investigation is taking. Because of the past vindictive actions of William, and in the absence of any whistle blowers (witness protection) laws in India, the ICF has kept the identity of its sources in Mysuru confidential.

It is reported that the commission may conclude its investigation in a day or two, and return a month later. However the people of Mysuru are terrified at what might happen in the interim period. A few days ago the Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC) was able to record a video interview with Antony Raj, a painter, the ex-husband of Sunita, the alleged mistress of William, through whom she has borne a son (name withheld, being a minor), and for whom he built a two-story house and bought a fancy car. Two priests of the diocese and a local press reporter were also present at the interview conducted by one Dinesh.

In the Kannada interview, a copy of which has been provided to the ICF by the AOCC, Antony Raj, who looks completely relaxed and free from duress, frankly states that he divorced Sunita because of her relationship with William. In the interview he says that William is not worthy to be a bishop, that the reason for his divorce is recorded in the court judgement, and that even after his divorce he was attacked physically twice on the road.

According to Robert Rosario of the AOCC William immediately swung into action, using his influence with the local police, to file cases or subjugate both Antony Raj and Dinesh. Another priest, who has actually fled the diocese, for fear of vendetta, has received a legal notice from an advocate Gerald Castelino, at the behest of the diocesan consulters, asking why his priestly stipend should not be stopped. The tales of vindictiveness seem unending.

It is for this reason that Rosario has written to the Mysuru Commissioner of Police, with copies to top government and police authorities, seeking protection for the victims. In like manner the ICF convener, had earlier written to Archbishop Cornelio seeking that William be removed from the territorial jurisdiction of Mysore Diocese, that a DNA test be conducted on the alleged children of William to determine their paternity, that the findings of the EC be made public, and that competent legal and financial experts as also representatives of women’s organizations be part of the EC.

A senior lay leader of Mysuru, on condition of anonymity, endorsed the demands of the ICF and demanded that William also be debarred from operating the accounts of the Mysore Diocese Educational Society, a cash cow that has been allegedly used to finance William’s misdeeds and criminal acts.

It now remains to be seen what the commission reports to the nunciature and what action it, in turn, will take. Prima facie the actions of William, so far the Conqueror, are far more grievous and heinous than that of Bishops Gallela Prasad of Cuddapah and Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar, both of whom are currently under suspension.