Catholic Church websites mum on Gracias

KOTTAYAM: The Catholic Church websites in India have maintained a studied silence over the appointment of Agnelo Rufino Gracias, former auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Mumbai archdiocese, as the apostolic administrator of Jalandhar over a week ago. 

The Vatican had temporarily relieved bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun, of the pastoral responsibilities as the bishop and appointed bishop Gracias as the apostolic administrator through an order dated September 20.

The news was not updated on the website of the apostolic nunciature, Jalandhar diocese or the Catholic Bishops Conference of India.

When Deccan Chronicle contacted the office of the apostolicnunciature in New Delhi and the social department of the Jalandhar diocese, they refused to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, Bishop Gracias may take charge only by next week, according to sources in Jalandhar. This is only a temporary arrangement till the legal proceedings against bishop Franco are over. He was arrested on September 21 and is now in Pala sub-jail.