Vatican, Sep 20: Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun, was temporarily removed from the post of Bishop by Pope Francis. In a statement, the Vatican said Pope Francis has accepted the request of removal of Franco Mulakkal from the position of Bishop in the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab, a statement released by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India said. Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias has been appointed as the new bishop of Jalandhar diocese.

"The Holy Father has received the request of Bishop Franco Mulakkal to be temporarily relieved of his pastoral responsibilities in the diocese of Jullandar. Having considered all circumstances, the Holy Father has accepted this request of Bishop Franco Mulakkal and has appointed Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Bombay as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Jullandar, sede plena et ad mutum Sanctae Sedis with immediate effect," Oswald Cardinal Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said. Kerala Nun Rape Case: Missionaries of Jesus Gives Clean Chit to Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

The Kerala Police questioned Franco Mulakkal for the second consecutive day on Thursday. Yesterday, he was questioned for seven hours near here at the Crime Branch office. The Kerala High Court has agreed to hear Mulakkal's anticipatory bail plea on September 25. Earlier, an inquiry commission formed by the Missionaries of Jesus has given a clean chit to Franco Mulakkal. The inquiry commission said the nun who alleged rape conspired with others to defame Mulakkal.

A nun from Kerala has accused that she was raped by a 54-year-old priest on several occasions between 2014 and 2016. The nun has even appealed to the Vatican seeking justice. She also marked the plea to 21 other high ranking authorities of the Roman Catholic Church in India. An FIR was registered against the bishop, and a 114-page detailed statement was taken from the nun and other inmates of the convent.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2018 04:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).