Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of rape by a nun, has been temporarily relieved of his pastoral responsibilities by the Vatican.
“The Holy Father has received the request of Rt. Rev. Bishop Franco Mulakkal to be temporarily relieved of his pastoral responsibilities in the Diocese of Jullundur. Having considered all circumstances the Holy Father has accepted this request of Bishop Mulakkal,” Catholic Bishop Conference of India said in a statement.
The statement came as the SIT of Kerala police resumed questioning the bishop on Thursday.
The bishop had earlier written to the Pope, asking him to temporarily relieve him from the responsibilities of the diocese.
In a letter dated September 16, he said he may have travel to Kerala several times and so he wants to hand over the responsibilities of the diocese temporarily. Last week, also handed over administrative responsibility of the Jalandhar diocese to a junior priest in his absence ahead of his Kerala visit.