Franco Mulakkal: Hundreds write to Kerala nun who lost rape case against bishop – BBC News

Critics have called the acquittal of powerful Bishop Franco Mulakkal a ‘miscarriage of justice’.

The accusations of rape against Bishop Franco have made headlines in India. The case shocked one of the country’s oldest Christian communities and sparked widespread protests after the nun alleged that the Catholic Church had ignored her complaints.

The verdict shocked many, but once the 289-page order became publicly available, it led to massive outrage in India with many pointing out that the judge seemed to be questioning the woman’s conduct and moral character.

“The order was not just to exonerate the bishop, it was also to demoralise the survivor and the other nuns who had supported her. It contains graphic descriptions of sexual acts and assault as narrated by the nun. The judge even details a breast examination she underwent. What was the need for any of that?” she added.

The Indian Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that in rape cases, the judges must not comment on the behaviour or character of the woman and the only question they should ask is – did the accused commit rape?

“But you get the sense the nun was on trial here,” says Ms Devika.

“The judge completely ignored the social setting in which the alleged crime happened. In the church, even the senior-most nun has to defer to the junior-most priest. And Bishop Franco is a very powerful man. But the judge overlooked that power dynamic.”

“There may be sceptics who say that the fireflies cannot beat the night… Please tell them… If millions of fireflies get together, they may beat this unending night,” she wrote.

Source: Franco Mulakkal: Hundreds write to Kerala nun who lost rape case against bishop – BBC News

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