Bishop in India accused of raping nun faces life behind bars

Franco Mulakkal was charged with raping the nun at a convent in Kerala state several times between 2014 and 2016

He faces other charges including unlawful detention, unnatural sex and abuse of authority

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Franco Mulakkal, centre, has denied the allegations. Photo: AP

Published: 9:38pm, 9 Apr 2019Updated: 10:00pm, 9 Apr 2019

Police in India charged a bishop on Tuesday with repeatedly raping a nun at a convent in Kerala state in a case that puts a new spotlight on sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church.

Franco Mulakkal was charged with raping the nun several times between 2014 and 2016, said K Subash, police deputy superintendent of Vaikom district.

The bishop faces other charges including unlawful detention, unnatural sex and abuse of authority. Facing a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, Mulakkal has denied the allegations.

Indian nuns break their silence, revealing long history of sex abuse by Catholic priests

Local media said the report backing the charges ran into more than 100 pages and contained testimonies from priests, bishops and nuns.

Three nuns who backed the accusation of rape against Bishop Franco Mulakkal pictured at St Francis Mission Home, in Kerala state. Photo: AP

The victim filed a formal complaint in June last year, but police only started formal questioning in September after fury over the case mounted.

The lack of action provoked outrage and five nuns – in a rare public show of dissent within the church – staged days of protests with dozens of supporters.