Kottayam: Nuns warn of resuming protest

Kottayam: The Save Our Sisters (SOS) has warned of another round of  protests against the Church in view of the action being taken against the six nuns who agitated against Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

The leaders of the SOS action committee told reporters here that a public convention as part of the next phase of protests will  be organised here on Saturday. The convention will demand the defrocking of the accused bishop and the withdrawal of the orders to transfer the five nuns from the St. Francis Mission Home at Kuravilangadu.

They also sought the intervention of Cardinal OswaldGracious, president of the Catholic Bishops' Council of India, in the issue. "The accused bishop, using the power of his current position, is harassing the six nuns both physically and mentally," said Shaiju Antony, leader of the organisation.   Noting that the transfer of the nuns would amount to violation of a Supreme Court's direction on the protection of witnesses, the organisation urged the Catholic Church to demonstrate the democratic spirit of the Church as upheld by the second Vatican council. ‘’Defrocking the accused, who is in a position to influence the investigation, should be the primary condition in ensuring a  fair and transparent investigation," added Mr.Antony.

Meanwhile, the SOS has also approached the Church authorities to ensure the participation of the protesting nuns in the convention Saturday.