Four of the five nuns who have been ordered to move out of the St. Francis Mission Home in Kuravilangad, near Kottayam, in Kerala, and the nun who has accused Bishop Franco of Jalandhar of raping her , have written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking his intervention to ensure their safety.
In separate letters, the nuns have sought protection as well as a stay on their transfer order so that they are allowed to stay on at the Kuravilangad convent until the trial in the rape case (Cr. No. 746/18) is over.
The nuns have also sought protection from transfer to Sister Neena Rose, another inmate of the convent, “especially considering our safety”, said the nuns in their letter to the Chief Minister.
Alleged denial of needs at convent
The alleged rape victim said in her letter that the five nuns, who are her colleagues in the convent, were providing her emotional support even as the convent authorities were refusing to provide for their needs, including medical treatment.
The transfer order issued to Sisters Anupama Kelamngalathuveli, Josephine Villoonnickal, Alphy Pallasseril and Ancitta Urumbil and Rose have been construed as vindictive action by the church for their participation in a public protest demanding the arrest of Bishop Franco, who was accused of raping the nun of the Missionaries of Jesus.
The bishop was arrested and released on bail .
The nuns said in their letter that the five of them faced threat from Bishop Franco, who was operating in connivance with the authorities at the convent.
Copies of their letter have been sent to State police chief Loknath Behra and the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission.
