KOTTAYAM: Bishop Franco Mulackal handed over his charges as the administrator of the Jalandha diocese to to Fr Mathew Kokkandam following the sexual abuse case lodged against him.  A circular released by Franco Mulackal states that "In my absence Msgr. Mathew Kokkandam will administer the dicese as is is normal practise when I am away from the diocese".

He also thanked everyone for the support and prayers they have given for him during troubled times. "I request you to continue to pray for me and for the alleged victim and her supporters who have come out against me so that divine intervention may bring about change of heart and the truth of the matter may be revealed. I leave everything into the hand of god as I await the result of the findings of the team probing the allegation", he says in the letter.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of Catholic Metropolitan committee had informed the case details to Vatican directly. Gracias, a member of the advisory committee of the Pope had informed Vatican that the accusations are serious. He had also informed the Pope about the protest staged by the nuns at high court junction in Ernakulam. The church is concerned about the growing support of the nuns. Vatican has sought a detailed report from the church leaders of Kerala.