The Most Reverend Giambattista Diquattro
Apostolic Nuncio to India
Apoltolic Nunciature,
50-C Niti Marg, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110 021
nuntius@apoltolicnunciatureindia.com

Your Excellency,

Sub: The Alleged Abuse of a Religious Sister by the Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese.

We, the undersigned are deeply concerned about the integrity and mission of the Indian Church
and write in the context of the growing scandal and the adverse publicity the Church is receiving
with regard to the handling of the case of the alleged sexual abuse of a Religious sister by the
Bishop of Jalandhar diocese.

We are particularly concerned about the mud- slinging going on between the Bishop and his
priests on the one hand and the aggrieved sister and her family on the other that has turned the
Church into an object of ridicule for people of the entire country, thus causing a lot of harm to
the Church and in particular to the faith of the people of God.

In view of the above and now that the case has gone to the courts, we would urge you to please
advise Pope Francis to relieve the bishop concerned of his pastoral responsibilities, so that the
Church is seen to actually practice the ‘zero tolerance’ it professes to observe in abuse cases.
With the accused bishop continuing to remain in his position as Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese,
it will erode the faith of the people in the credibility of the Church to implement its policy of zero
tolerance and act justly in abuse matters.

We trust that Christ who is our light, and who always stood up against the exploitation of women
will stand with the Church and give the leadership courage to do what is right in the cause of
justice to women in the Church.

Yours sincerely,

179 Signatories - Lay, Religious Sisters, Priests.