Franco Mulakkal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Franco Mulakkal | |
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Jalandhar | |
| Archdiocese | Delhi |
| Diocese | Jalandhar |
| Appointed | 13 June 2013 |
| Installed | 4 August 2013 |
| Term ended | 1 June 2023 |
| Predecessor | Anil Joseph Thomas Couto |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 21 April 1990 |
| Consecration | 21 February 2009 by Vincent Michael Concessao |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Franco Mulakkal 25 March 1964 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Occupation | Bishop |
| Alma mater | Guru Nanak Dev University (M.A.) Alphonsian Academy (D.Phil.) |
Franco Mulakkal is an Indian prelate of the Catholic Church. He was a member of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, until changing his sui iuris to the Latin church in lieu of mission work. He worked as the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar from 2013[1][2][3] until his arrest in 2018 on charges of raping a nun.[4] He is the first bishop in Indian Catholic church to be arrested for being accused in a rape case. In January 2022 the Kerala district court declared him innocent without the witnesses changing their statements. The court heard the statements of 39 witnesses in the case and he was acquitted of all charges. But the nuns are still fighting for their cause.[5] He was forced to resign as Jalandhar bishop by the Vatican, and in June 2023 Pope accepted his resignation.[6]
Franco Mulakkal was born in Mattam, Thrissur, Kerala, India on 25 March 1964.[citation needed]
He was ordained for Priesthood at St.Thomas Forane Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Mattom, Thrissur, Kerala on 21 April 1990.[7]
Franco transferred church sui iuris from the Syro-Malabar Church to the Latin Church with his missionary work in northern India. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi and titular bishop of Chullu on 17 January 2009. He was consecrated a bishop on 21 February 2009. He was appointed bishop of the Latin Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar on 13 June 2013 by Pope Francis. He was installed there on 4 August 2013.[8] He also served as the Secretary of the Regional Bishops Conference of North India and Consultor for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.[9][10]
