Pope Francis has accepted the request of Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal that he be temporarily relieved of pastoral duties.
A communication from the Apostolic Nunciature in India said, “Having considered all circumstances, the Holy Father has accepted the request of Bishop Mulakkal” and has appointed Agnelo Rufino Gracias, titular bishop of Molicunza and auxiliary bishop emeritus of Bombay, as apostolic administrator of the diocese of Jalandhar.
The development was welcomed by protesters at the 13-day-old stir and relay hunger strike in Kochi.
Sister Anupama, a Catholic nun who is participating in the stir seeking the arrest of the bishop, said the Vatican’s decision was a sign that the Church was taking the side of the protesters who were seeking justice. The decision would strengthen their protest. Earlier, speaking to reporters, Sister Anupama said there was an impression that the protest was against the Catholic Church but it was not so. Sister Lucy, a Catholic nun from Mananthavady, said everyone of good will stood with the protesters in their demand for justice.
Hundreds of people thronged the venue of the protest at the Kerala High Court Junction on Thursday. Social activist and writer P. Geetha has been on an hunger strike at the venue since Tuesday.
Slain communist leader T. P. Chandrashekharan’s widow and Revolutionary Marxist Party leader K. K. Rema was among those who addressed the protesters on Thursday. She said the government was afraid of the money power of the bishop. It was shameful, she said, that mainstream political parties were staying away from the protest but a large segment of Kerala society stood with the protesters.
Women to start hunger stir
Meanwhile, the Save Our Sisters Action Committee announced that five women will start a 24-hour hunger strike on Friday demanding the bishop’s arrest.
A spokesman for the SOS Action Committee said that protest marches and dharna would be held in all district headquarters on Friday.
