Kochi: Prominent writer Paul Zachariah has declared his solidarity with the nuns staging a public protest demanding the arrest of bishop Franco Mulakkal. In a Facebook post, Zachariah stated: “As a citizen and as a writer, I wish to declare my solidarity with the nuns’ struggle for justice. The government of Kerala must ensure that the victim is delivered justice speedily. She must receive all constitutional and legal prioritisation a citizen-woman is entitled to, as also protection for her person.”
He said: “The accused, bishop Franco Mulakkal, must be dealt with by the law as it would any other citizen. Any attempt to water down this basic democratic tenet would be equivalent to challenging the Constitution and will set a dangerous precedent. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure beyond all doubt that Franco Mulakkal submits himself to the system of justice like any other citizen without delay.”
He added: “At a time when the Pope himself is out in the open confronting the issue of sexual abuse within the Church, the Indian Church should not slip into a denial mode. It must engage in an honest process of introspection and correction. The nuns’ struggle for justice is a warning of massive significance to the Kerala Catholic Church enmeshed in its corporate ambitions. Perhaps there’s still time for the Church to confront itself and correct itself. My humble greetings to the sisters in the battlefield,” the post said.
