Franco's release worries nuns

Kottayam: The nuns of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation are fearful of their lives after the Kerala High Court on Monday granted bail to bishop Franco Mulakkal, who is accused of raping a nun belonging to the congregation.

Sr. Anupama, one of the nuns who staged a strike at the High Court junction in Kochi recently demanding his arrest, said at Kuravilangad that they were worried about their safety.

" We are not sure whether we will be alive tomorrow," she said. However, the sisters said that they believed in the law and justice system and hoped that they would get justice.

Bishop Mulakkal, who was arrested on September 21, was granted bail on conditions, including that he should not enter Kerala after his release from the sub-jail in Pala, except for reporting to the police, and that he should surrender his passport.

He will be released from the sub-jail only on Tuesday after the jail authorities get the High Court order. The order will be given to the Pala first class magistrate court which will issue the releasing order.

Jalandhar diocese:  Will prove innocence

The Jalandhar diocese has expressed the hope that bishop Franco Mulakkal, who has been granted bail by the Kerala High Court, will be able to prove his innocence in the case.

Father Peter Kavumpuram, secretary to the bishop, thanked God for the bail granted to the bishop who is undergoing remand in the  Pala sub-jail.