Franco Mulakkal resigns as Jalandhar Bishop, Vatican says not disciplinary action

Controversial Latin Catholic priest Franco Mulakkal has submitted his resignation as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, where he served from 2013 to 2018. The Vatican has accepted his resignation. He will serve as Bishop Emeritus. Franco Mulakkal faced charges in a sexual abuse case but was later acquitted by the Kottayam district Additional Sessions Court. The Kottayam police registered a case against Franco in 2018, leading to his arrest on September 21 of the same year. Subsequently, he was removed from the Jalandhar Diocese. In June 2018, a 43-year-old nun, belonging to the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, filed a complaint with the police, alleging that she had been sexually abused by Franco during his visits to Kerala between 2014 and 2016. The state has appealed the acquittal in the high court, while Franco has expressed objections to the court considering the appeal.