Sisters In Solidarity

sistersinsolidarity219@gmail.com

January 15, 2022

To,

Bishop Agnelo Gracias,

Apostolic Administrator, Jalandhar Diocese, Jalandhar.

Sr. Anit Kuvalloor, Superior General,

Missionaries of Jesus, Jalandhar.

Rev. Sr. Litty FCC, Superior General,

Franciscan Clarist Congregation, Aluva.

Sr. Alphonsa Abraham FCC, Provincial Superior,

Nirmala Province, Vijayawada.

Most Rev. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Metropolitan Archbishop of Delhi

Chairman, CBCI Office for Clergy and Religious,
New Delhi.

Fr. Gratian Carlo SJ,

Secretary, CBCI Office for Clergy and Religious,
New Delhi.

Sub: Appeal to Church and Congregational authorities to ensure safety and security of
the survivor, companions and witnesses in the Franco Mulakkal criminal case.

We, the Sisters in Solidarity (SIS), who know the survivor and have accompanied her in this
struggle for justice, are in deep shock, disappointment and disbelief at the ‘not guilty’ verdict
awarded to Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of Jalandhar acquitting him on grounds of lack of
evidence in the rape case filed against him.

The statement coming from some sections of the local community and media, claiming this
verdict as a “major victory for the Church”, is very disturbing. Is the survivor nun not part of
the same Church? We are pained to see how insensitively a daughter of the Church is disowned,
discredited and devalued by the members of the ecclesiastical community.

The survivor and her companions have already suffered much within the Church having been
alienated from their mission and ostracised by the community. Even after she pleaded for help
to the Church authorities at various levels, not one of them ever responded to her in any manner
to understand the truth.

Ever since the sister survivor filed the case of rape against the bishop who is the patron of the
congregation, she was immediately stripped of her responsibilities as a religious. The
Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) community of the St. Francis Mission Home was split into two
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groups. As a result of this, the survivor and her companions have experienced harassment and
hostility from the supporters of the accused. After this verdict, they have become even more
vulnerable and are in danger of further victimisation.

We are also deeply concerned about the safety of Sr. Lissy Vadakkel FCC, a prime witness,
who is also ostracized by her congregation at Jyothi Bhavan, Muvattupuzha and is under police
protection. Her frail health and isolation from the rest of the community is a matter of grave
concern.

We urge the Church, the MJ and FCC leadership to be sensitive to the survivor and her
supporters to ensure their safety and dignity in this crucial time, in the spirit of justice,
compassion and care modelled by Jesus. Immediate steps need to be taken to guarantee their
security and ensure them freedom from any kind of harassment.

Considering the fact that there are related cases still under investigation, they should not be
shifted out of their present residence where they are provided with full protection by the
concerned police stations.

We look forward to your support and positive response on this matter. As a gesture of support,
we expect a visit or a letter of assurance from you all to the sisters.

We request that the Church and congregational authorities consider this appeal as a matter
deserving your immediate attention and response.

In Christ Jesus,

Adv. Flavia Agnes, flaviaagnes@gmail.com

Adv. Sandhya George, sandhyageorge@yahoo.com
Adv. Sr. Julie George SSpS, julierosegeorge@gmail.com
Ms. Aleyamma Vijayan, aleyamma.vijayan@gmail.com
Ms. Anita Cheria, anita@openspace.org.in
Dr. Brinelle Elizabeth D’Souza, brinelledsouza@gmail.com
Dr. Astrid Lobo-Gajiwala, asklobog@gmail.com
Dr. Kochurani Abraham, kochuabraham@gmail.com
Dr. Neena Joseph, facultyimgdrnj@gmail.com
Ms. Raynah Braganza Passanha, raynahbraganzapassanah@gmail.com
Sr. Annie Jaise, CMC, sraanijaise2017@gmail.com
Sr. Clare Marie Therese ICM, claremtherese1@gmail.com
Sr. Manju Kulapuram SCSC, manjukulapuram@yahoo.com
Sr. Teresa Meera RGS, ethammac@gmail.com
Ms. Virginia Saldanha, womynvs@gmail.com

CC to:
1. His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, Mumbai
CBCI President

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2. Rt. Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Bishop of Mavelikara,

CBCI Vice-President- I

3. Rt. Rev. George Njaralakatt, Archbishop of Tellicherry,

CBCI Vice-President-II

4. Rt. Rev. Felix Anthony Machado, Archbishop- Bishop of Vasai,

CBCI Secretary General

5. Rt. Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Damam

CCBI President

6. Rt. Rev. George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore,

CCBI Vice President

7. His Eminence Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-

Angamaly,
KCBC President

8. Rt. Rev. Dr. Varghese Chakkalakal

KCBC Vice-President

9. Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas

KCBC Secretary General

10. Sr. Maria Nirmalini AC, Superior General

President, National CRI