Letter to the Nuncio on the Alleged Abuse of a Religious Sister by the Bishop of Jalandhar

Letter to the Apostolic Nuncio to India on the Alleged Abuse of a Religious Sister by the Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese

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.