Another member of the FCC has been warned over acts of disobedience, including a protest of the handling of the accusation against Bishop Mulakkal.
Sr. Ann Joseph, superior general of the community, sent a letter of warning Jan. 1 to Sr. Lucy Kalapura. Sr. Lucy is accused of leading a life "against the principles of religious life" by disobeying a transfer order, publishing poems after having been denied permission to do so, buying a vehicle, withholding her salary from the congregation, and participating in a protest against Bishop Mulakkal.
Bishop Mulakkal was arrested Sept. 21, 2018, but was released on bail in October. A police investigation is ongoing, and the bishop has been temporarily removed from his responsibilities as Bishop of Jullundur.
Several nuns began protesting in Kochi Sept. 8, 2018 how both police and the Church had responded to the accusation against Bishop Mulakkal.
The Missionaries of Jesus is based in the Diocese of Jullundur, and the Bishop of Jullundur is its patron.
In January, the superior of the Missionaries of Jesus asked five members of her community who have been protesting Bishop Mulakkal to transfer out from the Kuravilangad convent. All but one were being asked to leave Kerala, Scroll.in reported.
But the nuns were told Feb. 9 by Bishop Agnelo Gracias, apostolic administrator of Jullundur, that "as far as it lies within my power, there will be no move from the Diocese of Jalandhar to oust you from the Kuravilangad Convent as long as you are needed for the Court case", according to The Caravan. He added that the superior general was not to send them letters without his permission.
Yet the diocese's communication's director, Fr. Peter Kavumpuram, shortly after said that because the Bishop of Jullundur does not normally intervene in the Missionaries of Jesus' internal affairs, the superior general's transfer order "is not cancelled but stands."
The five nuns remain at the Kuravilangad convent. Fr. Kavumpuram has said that if the nuns do not obey their superior, "Action will be taken against them based on the Constitution of the congregation. I cannot tell you what kind of action it will be at this point."
On Oct. 22, 2018 Fr. Kuriakose Kattuthara, who testified in support of the nun's claims against Bishop Mulakkal, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Foul play has been alleged by members of the priest's family, but a final autopsy report has not yet been reported.