DigiGuru Prasenjit: adjusted references further and improved wording

2026-02-15T04:56:53Z

adjusted references further and improved wording

>Jeromeenriquez: added Category:Catholic priests convicted of crimes using HotCat

2021-06-18T17:14:34Z

added Category:Catholic priests convicted of crimes using HotCat

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{{short description|Indian prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1964)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Citations broken|date=February 2020}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2020}}
{{Warning|To discuss issues with specific biographies or personal mentions, please use the [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons/Noticeboard]].}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Franco Mulakkal
| honorific-suffix =
| title = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar|Bishop Emeritus of Jalandhar]]
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| church =
| archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi|Delhi]]
| diocese = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar|Jalandhar]]
| appointed = 13 June 2013
| enthroned = 13 June 2013|
| predecessor = [[Anil Joseph Thomas Couto]]|
| ordination = 21 April 1990
| ordained_by =
| consecration = 21 February 2009
| consecrated_by = [[Vincent Michael Concessao]]
| birth_name = Franco Mulakkal
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|3|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Mattam]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| buried =
| nationality = [[India]]n
| religion = [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]
| residence =
| parents =
| spouse =
| children =
| occupation = Bishop
| previous_post =
| profession =
| alma_mater = [[Guru Nanak Dev University]] (M.A.)<br>[[Alphonsian Academy]] (D.Phil.)
| signature =
| coat_of_arms =
| motto =
}}
'''Franco Mulakkal'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://missionariesofjesus.in/portfolio/birthday-wishes-to-bp-franco-mulakkal/|title=Birthday wishes to Bp. Franco Mulakkal {{!}} Missionaries of Jesus|website=missionariesofjesus.in|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityairnews.com/content/dr-cheema-felicitates-bishop-franco-mulakkal-completing-25-years-baptism|title=Dr Cheema Felicitates Bishop Franco Mulakkal For Completing 25 Years Of Baptism {{!}} City Air News|website=cityairnews.com|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/sukhbir-meets-bishop-of-diocese-in-jalandhar/1152239/|title=Sukhbir meets Bishop of Diocese in Jalandhar - Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navjeevanjalandhar.org/staff/rt-rev-dr-franco-mulakkal/|title=Rt. Rev. Dr. Franco Mulakkal {{!}} Navjeevan Charitable Society|website=navjeevanjalandhar.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.icym.net/news/national-news/640-fr-franklin-team-greeted-bishop-franco-mulakkal|title=Fr. Franklin and Team greeted Bishop Franco Mulakkal - Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM)|last=Administrator|website=icym.net|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://jalandhardiocese.com/|title=Home - Diocese of Jalandhar|date=2013-11-16|work=Diocese of Jalandhar|access-date=2017-06-19|language=en-US}}</ref> is an Indian [[prelate]] of the [[Catholic Church]]. He served as the [[Bishop in the Catholic Church|bishop]] of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar since 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://scdimapur.org/latest-news/bp-franco-visits-salesian-college/|title=Bp. Franco visits Salesian College|date=2017-07-14|work=Salesian College Dimapur|access-date=2017-08-21|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://calgaryindians.com/photo/227-newly-appointed-diocese-of-jalandhar-bishop-franco-mulakkal.aspx|title=Newly appointed DIOCESE of Jalandhar, Bishop Franco Mulakkal|website=calgaryindians.com|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/franco-mulakkal-is-new-bishop/story-EXoOODLscIKWOD6eKkMDlM.html|title=Franco Mulakkal is new bishop|date=2013-06-14|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2017-08-21|language=en}}</ref> He is the first bishop in Indian Catholic history to be arrested for being accused in a rape case. He has been charged for raping a nun and his trial is ongoing with strict reporting restrictions <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/accountability/news/news/mulakkal-appears-trial-nuns-rape-next-hearing-set-jan-6 }}</ref>

== Biography ==
Franco Mulakkal was born in Mattam, [[Thrissur]], [[Kerala]], India on 25 March 1964.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

He was ordained for Priesthood at St.Thomas Forane [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]], Mattom, [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], Kerala on 21 April 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://files.mulakkal.com/200000055-821e08317b/Missionaries%20More%20Info.pdf|title=Bishop Franco Mulakkal biography|last=Franco|first=Mulakkal|website=files.mulakkal.com|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923163057/http://files.mulakkal.com/200000055-821e08317b/Missionaries%20More%20Info.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was appointed [[auxiliary bishop]] of the Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi and [[titular bishop]] of [[Collo|Chullu]] on 17 January 2009. He was [[Holy Orders (Catholic Church)|consecrated]] a [[Bishop in the Catholic Church|bishop]] on 21 February 2009. He was appointed bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar on 13 June 2013 by [[Pope Francis]]. He also serves as the [[Secretary]] of the Regional [[Episcopal Conference|Bishops Conference]] of [[North India]] and [[Consultor]] for the [[Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://directory.ucanews.com/bishops/bishop-mulakkal/637|title=Bishop Franco Mulakkal {{!}} Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese Franco Mulakkal {{!}} Ucanews|website=directory.ucanews.com|access-date=2017-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625175112/http://directory.ucanews.com/bishops/bishop-mulakkal/637|archive-date=25 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmulakkal.html|title=Bishop Franco Mulakkal (Aippunny) [Catholic-Hierarchy]|last=Cheney|first=David M.|website=catholic-hierarchy.org|access-date=2017-06-19}}</ref>

==Sexual assault and arrest==

In June 2018, a nun accused Mulakkal of rape and a complaint was filed with the [[Kerala Police]] under Section 164 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC, India).<ref>{{Citation|last=New indian express rape news |title=Rt. Rev. Dr. Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, Punjab, India|date=2018-07-07|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/jul/09/rape-complaint-jalandhar-bishop-franco-mulakkal-not-to-be-grilled-soon-1840775.html|accessdate=2018-07-07}}</ref> The nun in Kerala alleged that she was raped by Bishop Mulakkal 13 times between 2014 and 2016 during his visits to a convent in Kottayam district in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kerala-rape-case-pope-temporarily-relieves-bishop-mulakkal-of-pastoral-duties/articleshow/65887778.cms|title=Kerala rape case: Pope temporarily relieves Bishop Mulakkal of pastoral duties - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bishop-franco-mulakkal-accused-of-kerala-nuns-rape-relieved-of-duties-by-vatican-1919558|title=Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Accused Of Raping Kerala Nun, Temporarily Removed By Vatican|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nun-rape-case-sit-to-quiz-priest-for-3rd-day-tomorrow/articleshow/65890865.cms|title=Nun 'rape' case: SIT to question bishop for 3rd day tomorrow - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-nun-rape-case-accused-bishop-franco-mulakkal-quizzed-for-8-hours-on-day-2/articleshow/65891738.cms|title=Kerala nun rape case: Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal quizzed for 8 hours on Day 2 - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/kerala-nun-rape-case-bishop-franco-mulakkal-to-appear-before-kerala-police-for-interrogation|title=Kerala Nun Rape Case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal to appear before Kerala Police for interrogation - Republic World|work=Republic World|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-nun-rape-case-bishop-mulakkal-appears-before-probe-team-1343301-2018-09-19|title=Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal appears before probe team|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2018-09-20}}</ref> Three more women accused the bishop of sexual misconduct against them, but the congregation's superior general maintains that the bishop is innocent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/indian-bishop-accused-of-rape-steps-aside-requests-leave-from-vatican-71892|title=Indian bishop accused of rape steps aside, requests leave from Vatican|work=Catholic News Agency|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en}}</ref> On September 20, 2018, Pope Francis accepted Mulakkal's request for a leave of absence from both his role as Bishop and pastoral duties.<ref name=leaderless>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/pope-names-administrator-indian-bishop-investigated-alleged-rape|title = Pope names administrator as Indian bishop investigated for alleged rape|date = 20 September 2018}}</ref>

In September 2018 Kerala Police arrested Mulakkal for allegedly raping a nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45600402|title=India bishop accused of rape arrested|work=BBC News|date=21 September 2018|publisher=|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Police arrested Franco|work=[[Asianet News]]|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/news/former-jalandhar-franko-mulakkal-arrested-pfeo5t|access-date=2018-09-21}}</ref> The arrest was made in September 2018 in Kochi, India. He was interrogated by the Kerala Police for three days before arrest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bishop-franco-mulakkal-arrested-in-kerala-nun-rape-case-1345584-2018-09-21|title=Bishop Franco Mulakkal arrested in Kerala nun rape case|work=indiatoday|access-date=2018-09-21|language=en}}</ref> Vijay Sakhare, inspector general of Kerala Police said "After our investigation, we have enough evidence that the bishop, ''prima facie'', has committed the crime."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/21/asia/india-bishop-sex-abuse-intl/index.html|title=Catholic bishop in India arrested after being accused of raping nun|work=CNN|access-date=2018-09-26|language=en}}</ref> A Kerala Judicial Magistrate extended his judicial custody in jail for 14 days until 20 October 2018. The Kerala High Court rejected Mulakkal's first application for bail, citing ''[[prima facie]]'' evidence in the case, and extended his stay in prison by 14 days. Though he got bail <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-nun-rape-case-bishop-franco-mulakkals-judicial-custody-extended-by-14-days-5389570/|title=Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal's judicial custody extended by 14 days|work=indianexpress.com|access-date=2018-10-07|language=en}}</ref> he was later formally charged in April 2019 with raping the nun nine times over a two-year period and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.<ref name=aprilcharge>https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/indian-bishop-formally-charged-with-rape-39446</ref> 80 witnesses, including a cardinal, three bishops, 11 priests and 25 nuns, according to Indian Catholic group Save our Sisters, have issued statements against Mulakkal.<ref name=aprilcharge />

==See also==
* [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases]]
* [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases#India|Catholic Church sexual abuse cases in India]]
* [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases by country]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}


{{SACC}}

{{Subject bar |portal1= Biography |portal2= Catholicism |portal3= India}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mulakkal, Franco}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in India]]
[[Category:Christian clergy from Kottayam]]
[[Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Francis]]
[[Category:Rape in India]]
[[Category:Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals]]
[[Category:People charged with rape]]
[[Category:Catholic priests convicted of sexual abuse]]
[[Category:Catholic priests convicted of crimes]]

Franco Mulakkal - Revision history

DigiGuru Prasenjit: adjusted references further and improved wording

>Jeromeenriquez: added Category:Catholic priests convicted of crimes using HotCat