Kerala: Diocese overrules Bishop Gracias on nuns’ transfer

KOCHI/ KOTTAYAM: Soon after Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias, apostolic administrator of the diocese of Jalandhar, wrote to five nuns who are key witnesses in the case against rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal that they would be allowed to stay at the Kuruvilangad convent, the diocese of Jalandhar issued a ‘clarification’ on Saturday that the transfer order issued to the nuns remains in force.The Superior General of the Congregation of Jesus had ordered the transfer of four of the five nuns who had protested last year demanding Bishop Franco’s arrest for alleged rape of a nun from the same congregation. The nuns were asked to join different convents in Punjab, Jharkhand, Bihar and Kannur In an email apparently sent a day or two ago to Sister Anupama, Sister Neena Rose, Sister Ancitta, Sister Alphy and Sister Josephine, Bishop Gracias wrote, “I like to assure the five of you that, as far as lies within my power, there will be no move from the diocese of Jalandhar to oust you from the Kuravilangad convent as long as you are needed for the court case”. The nuns had written to the bishop on January 16 on how they were being targeted. “I was surprised and dismayed at seeing the letter to Sr Neena Rose. I am giving a directive to the (superior) general that she will not issue any letters to the five of you without my explicit permission,” the bishop added in his mail.However, the ‘clarification’ sent out by the Jalandhar diocese, undersigned by Fr Peter Kavumpuram, PRO of the diocese, states, “By this clarification the Apostolic Administrator has not interfered in the internal affairs of this congregation, therefore the order to return to their rightful communities by the Mother General is not cancelled but stands.”The mail from Bishop Gracias, who is also auxiliary bishop emeritus of Mumbai and was appointed apostolic administrator by Pope Francis himself, was seen as a major support to the rape survivor and the other nuns. But, in what would appear to be a move to show the apostolic administrator his place, the diocese’s clarification stated that “Even though the Congregation of the Missionaries of Jesus is of diocesan right, the internal running of the Congregation is left to the General and her council. The bishop of Jalandhar does not normally interfere unless the overall interests of the Church demands such interference.”The nuns reacted to the latest development defiantly and with a sense of disbelief. “Father Kavumpuram is someone who has always worked for Franco. We won’t recognise his statement over that of a bishop. A priest correcting a bishop is something that never happens in the Church,” said Sr Anupama.“The bishop wrote the letter, I am not denying it. But what he actually meant was that the nuns will not be ousted from the congregation and not that they can stay at Kuravilangad convent where they are staying now,” Kavumpuram told TOI. When asked about the nuns being allowed to stay with the survivor on humanitarian grounds, Kavumpuram said that the nuns can return to assist the survivor whenever she needs them. “It is not practical for them to stay at this convent for so long as they should be doing other works as well. I am issuing this representing Bishop Agnelo. I am only doing my duty,” Kavumpuram said.