NEW DELHI, India — Pope Francis has relieved from duty an Indian bishop accused by a nun of raping her, local church officials said Thursday, in a high-profile abuse case that sparked protests by clergy angry at police inaction. Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who has rejected the accusations, had written to the pope requesting he be temporarily relieved of his duties while an investigation was underway. ADVERTISEMENT“Having considered all circumstances the Holy Father has accepted the request of Bishop Mulakkal,” the Catholic Bishops Conference of India said in a statement Thursday. The lack of action provoked outrage and five nuns — in a rare show of dissent within the Indian Church — and dozens of supporters staged days of protests. Sexual abuse by clergymen and the failure of senior Church officials to take action has been one of the biggest scandals facing the Catholic Church in recent years.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 20, 2018 14:48 UTC