“Kerala nun rape case accused Franco Mulakkal steps down as Jalandhar Bishop after informing the Pope, Vatican says not a punitive action”, Opindia, June 1, 2023:

“Franco Mulakkal, who was booked in a case involving the rape of a nun in Kerala back in 2018, has reportedly resigned as the Jalandhar bishop. He confirmed that Pope Francis has accepted his resignation on Thursday. He was cleared of all charges in the rape case by the Additional District and Sessions Court I, Kottayam last year.

The Vatican allegedly sought his resignation not as a punitive action against him but rather for the sake of the Jalandhar diocese, which requires a new bishop. According to a release by the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to India, the representative body of the Vatican in India, Mulakkal’s resignation was a ‘pro bono Ecclesiae’, especially for the good of the diocese which needs a new bishop.

He will now serve as Bishop Emeritus (retired) of Jalandhar. He is between 57 to 59-years-old and traditionally, Bishops usually step down when they turn 75….”

Read the full article at Opindia.com