This morning one of the main prosecution witnesses against Bishop Franco, the first accused in the nun rape case was found dead in mysteriuous circumstances in his room at St. Mary's Church in Dasuya, Jalandhar.
The deceased priest Father Kuriakose Kattuthara who also happened to have taught the survivor nun her friends who are standing with her in this struggle was very vociferous in his statement against Bishop Franco Mulakkal and had given a statement to the Kerala Police. He had a premonition that he might be harmed for speaking out against Bishop Franco and had alleged that he was under severe pressure from church officials for his support of the nun who has accused the bishop of rape!
In these circumstances, we as concerned citizens are worried about the safety of the rape survivor and the nuns who are supporting her. Regardless of the complicity of Bishop Franco in the death of Father Kuriakose, which we believe should be addressed through due process and investigation, the prosecution department of the government of Kerala should move for the cancellation of the bail granted to Bishop Franco in the light of this development and so that other witnesses and the survivors do not feel intimidated and threatened.
