Rape case:Jalandhar diocese assures nuns that they will not be

Days after nuns protesting against rape-accused Bishop Franco Mullakkal were asked to move out of their convent, the Jalandhar Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church has assured them that there will be no move to oust them as long as they as they are needed for the court case.

An e-mail in this regard was sent to five nuns, who are staying with the survivor nun, by current apostolic administrator of Jalandhar diocese Bishop Angelo, one of the nuns said here Saturday.

The Bishop has assured the nuns that "there will be no move from the diocese of Jalandhar to oust" them from the Kuravilangad convent in Kottayam district as long as they are needed for the Court case, she said.

Authorities of Jalandhar diocese could not be reached for their comments despite efforts.

Earlier, the head of their congregation, Missionaries of Jesus under the Jalandhar diocese, had issued transfer orders to four nuns who took part in the protest, demanding the arrest of the Bishop.

Another nun, Sister Neena Rose, who is staying with the survivor nun, was asked to report to the Missionaries of Jesus congregation's Jalandhar convent and meet its Superior General Sr Regina Kandamthottu on January 26.

The congregation of nuns-- Missionaries of Jesus-- had directed the nuns to join their previously-assigned convents, according to the transfer orders issued between March and May this year.

The nuns Alphy, Anupama, Josephine and Ancitta