New Delhi, Jan 23, 2022: The Indian Christian Women Movement, an ecumenical group, has issued an open letter addressed to the leaders of various Churchesin the country.
The text:
We, as women of the Churches, waited for the verdict impatiently, we were so sure that the accused will be indicted.
In our estimation, all evidence pointed to the guilt of Franco Mulakkal. All that remained was for the guilty verdict and for the Church to acknowledge its connivance and announce, in no uncertain terms, its agreement with the strongest punishment that he deserves.
But, this was not to be. Mulakkal was acquitted of all charges; and the survivor Sister was left to deal with the consequences of crimes she did not commit.
Legal systems in India have taken several progressive steps forward – a reading of the verdict in this case reeks of cruelty and lies – in short it is a bad judgment.
In the text of the judgment, as submitted to the court, words have been written about the nun; intimate details enumerated which should shame every Christian woman, let alone a sister who has dedicated her life to obedience and submissiveness to authority in the church.
Her defense was downplayed and she was left in the lurch by the Church. This has been the most difficult – feeling let down by the Church to which she had avowed allegiance.
For us as women of the Church this betrayal has been the most painful to accept. We call on the leadership of the Church to account for their attitude ever since the survivor Sister courageously spoke out about her ordeal. The Church did not react as it should have – letters of appeal she sent to the leadership of the Church were ignored; the church remained silent in the face of her humiliation in the court.
We call on the church to set up an independent and impartial enquiry into the circumstances that have led to this outcome in the lower court. We demand justice.
Issued by Aruna Gnanadason, convener, for the National Team, Indian Christian Women’s Movement
January 20, 2022
The outcome of appeal is inconsequential to defrocking Franco and the concerned nun. What remains to be settled through appeal is whether did rape occur. Franco had sex with the nun. He has not denied it. Therefore, he stand having violated his vows under Canon laws and must get the marching orders. The nun too. Both should be given parting packet adequate to ensure resonable living standards.
Will the ICWM, amidst all the brouhaha, act concretely by way of filing a review petition in the High Court so as to actually bring the issue to a formal close finally? The deserved defrocking of the accused and the accuser might be considered possible only after the High Court gives its ruling in the matter. After ll, what is at stake is the sanctity of the very vow of Celibacy/Chastity that the Catholic Church has as its chief identity.
Thanks to ICWM for reaching out to the raped nun. If some support like this hadcto ne offered to the raped nun initially, Franco would not have been acquitted. Unfortunately we all watch from our armchairs and prefer being silent spectators till matters reach such a head that we are compelled to spring from our comfortable space. Anyway, it is BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!!
Please insist that going forward no man in white robes and/or pink dunce caps will be allowed to stay overnight in any women inhabited homes. Also, they should carry their own bags and iron their own cassocks.
If for some reason they needcto discuss issues with any nun, there should be two nuns at a time – one as a sort of bodyguard to the other.