---
title: "Pope accepts resignation of India bishop accused of rape"
description: "Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Franco Mulakkal as bishop of Jalandhar in northern India, who was acquitted last year of repeatedly raping a nun over a two year period."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-01-pope-accepts-resignation-of-india-bishop-accused-of-rape/"
published: "2023-06-01T13:43:02"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 133
---

# Pope accepts resignation of India bishop accused of rape

> Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Franco Mulakkal as bishop of Jalandhar in northern India, who was acquitted last year of repeatedly raping a nun over a two year period.

By Reuters · Published 1 June 2023, 15:43 SAST

## Key points
- After being acquitted of repeatedly raping a nun, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Franco Mulakkal's resignation from the Diocese of Jalandhar in northern India.
- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Franco Mulakkal as bishop of Jalandhar in northern India.
- Mulakkal was accused of repeatedly raping a nun over a two year period but was acquitted in January 2022.
- Indian media said Pope Francis met Mulakkal in February, but the Vatican gave no information about the encounter.
- Bishops traditionally hand in their resignation when they turn 75.

## Content

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Franco Mulakkal as bishop of Jalandhar in northern India, who was acquitted last year of repeatedly raping a nun over a two year period.

The Vatican announced the decision on Thursday, without giving any further information.

Mulakkal, 59, was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Jalandhar, in Punjab state, in 2013. He stepped down temporarily from the post in 2018 when he was accused by a nun of raping her multiple times.

A court acquitted him in January 2022, but both the investigating officer and the nun have appealed the verdict.

Indian media said Pope Francis met Mulakkal in February, but the Vatican gave no information about the encounter.

Bishops traditionally hand in their resignation when they turn 75.

(Reporting by Crispian BalmerEditing by Ros Russell)