Sister Ranit, a survivor in the Bishop Franco Mulakkal rape case, has publicly disclosed her identity for the first time, nine years after she accused the bishop of sexual violence. In an interview with Asianet News, Ranit expressed devastation over Mulakkal’s acquittal but affirmed her determination to seek justice.
For years, Ranit remained silent about her experiences of abuse, which she described as comprising thirteen instances of rape. She cited intense fear, societal stigma, and the challenges of life within the church as factors that silenced her. She recounted worries about being labeled a “runaway nun” should she leave the convent, a label that brings lifelong shame to victims and their families.
In 2018, Ranit, then a senior nun at St. Francis Mission Home in Kuravilangadu, Kerala, filed a formal police complaint against Mulakkal, then Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese. This incident marked an unprecedented moment in India, as it was the first time a nun accused a sitting bishop of sexual violence.
In January 2022, a trial court acquitted Mulakkal. Following this, he met with the late Pope Francis in 2023 and resigned, now holding the title of Bishop Emeritus of Jalandhar.
During the interview, Ranit explained that chastity is viewed as the utmost virtue for nuns, and losing it can lead to immediate expulsion from the church. She personally witnessed other women branded as “runaway nuns,” which further contributed to her fear of speaking out.
Ranit described the emotional toll of pretending that everything was normal while living in a convent filled with trauma. She concealed her suffering and maintained a façade of calmness, continuing to live among others while suffering in silence.
Highlighting systemic issues within the church, she noted that many women endure similar experiences and that some nuns have faced severe reprisals for speaking out. Ranit alleged that after she reported the abuse, she was isolated, with Bishop Franco attempting to entrap her family and fellow nuns in false cases, while some sisters supported him openly.
Addressing allegations that her complaint was motivated by financial gain, she stated, “I have not received a single rupee from the diocese or from Franco.”
Ranit mentioned that three nuns left the church after enduring isolation and harassment, while the others, including herself, have resorted to tailoring work for survival. She criticized the church leadership for their silence, stating that it left them without support.
“I want people to know that we are still alive, we are still here…our struggle is still continuing,” Ranit affirmed.
Determined to seek justice, she plans to pursue her case through the High Court and the Supreme Court. “Until I get a verdict from the Supreme Court, I will not rest. I will continue to fight for my justice,” she declared.
Ranit also expressed pain at witnessing another recent case, where a trial court acquitted an accused in the 2017 actor assault case, which she found reminiscent of her own experience. “The verdict really hurt me,” she said, noting the similarities between her struggle for justice and that of other victims.
“That’s why I have decided to come out in public now,” Sister Ranit concluded.
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