By Jose Kavi

New Delhi, Jan 13, 2024: The Vatican accepting the Mysore bishop’s resignation has brought much relief to those seeking justice for the prelate’s alleged victims in the southern Indian diocese.

A press statement from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) on January 13 said Pope Francis has accepted Bishop Kannikadass Antony William’s resignation in view of “the distressing situation in the diocese.”

However, the statement quoted the apostolic nunciature to clarify that the “resignation is not a disciplinary measure imposed upon Bishop William” but a move to provide the diocese a new bishop.

The resignation came three days after a Catholic woman lawyer in Mumbai wrote to Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopold Girelli to take “decisive and stringent action against” Bishop William for setting a wrong example for the younger generation of priests and tarnishing the Church’s image in the country.

“Failure to act against the bishop,” Sunita Banis’ letter warns, “may compel me to purse legal recourse.”

“While this is not a preferable course of action, it is crucial to prevent further disgrace and uphold the dignity of our community.”

The lawyer told Matters India that she felt “really elated by the news of the resignation and believe that this move is from the Vatican.”

Banis said she has moved several cases against Bishop William and his supporters in Mysuru (Mysore) as a voluntary service.

Melwyn Fernandes, secretary of the Mumbai-based Association of Concerned Christians, one of the groups that campaigned for the bishop’s resignation said they are “overjoyed that justice is finally being served for those who suffered because of Bishop K. A. William and his associates.”

“This is just the start of holding him accountable for the crimes he’s committed, and we believe he must face a fair trial,” Fernandes told Matters India.

He said his group began the campaign for Bishop William’s resignation five years ago and the resignation has revived their hopes and trust in the Vatican.”

He expressed the hope that the Vatican would not make Bishop William in-charge of any other diocese and the Church would not give him protection in any form.

The Vatican action began a year ago when it ordered Bishop William to “take a period of absence from the ministry” after a three-bishop team appointed by the Dicastery of Evangelization probed his alleged involvement in crimes such as murder, rape and misappropriation of church funds.

Chhotebhi, convener of the Indian Catholic Forum, another group that supports the Mysore priests, pointed out that the Vatican has “finally accepted” the resignation after three years of struggle against “criminal” Bishop William. “Satyameva Jayate (Trust alone triumphs,” he added.

The former president of the All India Catholic Union noted that Bishop William, stayed in Ooty in Tamil Nadu after his ouster from Mysore and filed cases against his priests through his associates.

On January 9, the bishop’s supporters organized a huge sit-in at the bishop’s house demanding his reinstatement, the lay leader said.

“We are also still insisting on the paternity test. He should also be defrocked,” chhotebhai asserted.

A chaotic situation had persisted in the diocese for more than five years as some 37 priests reported to the Holy See scandalous issues involving Bishop William.

The bishop dismissed the allegations as baseless and that some priests targeted him for bringing reforms in the diocese.

Last year, more than 100 prominent lay persons had submitted several petitions to Propaganda Fide, the nunciature, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India against Bishop William.