New Delhi: Franco Mulakkal, the Catholic priest acquitted of sexual assault charges, has now resigned from his position as the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese, according to the news agency PTI.

Mulakkal had been temporarily relieved of his pastoral responsibilities by Pope Francis in 2018 due to the allegations of rape by a nun.

According to PTI, the Vatican requested his resignation, not as a disciplinary measure but in the best interest of the Jalandhar diocese, which requires a new bishop. Mulakkal stepping down will facilitate the appointment of a new bishop for the diocese.

In a video statement, Bishop Mulakkal confirmed that his resignation has been accepted by the Holy See.

According to The News Minute, Mulakkal is likely to move to Kerala where he may be appointed as an auxiliary bishop.

The news agency was told by an unnamed source that Mulakkal will now assume the title of Bishop Emeritus of Jalandhar. He had met with Pope Francis on February 8, their first encounter after his acquittal by the additional district and sessions court in Kottayam in the rape case.

Mulakkal was accused by a nun, a member of the Missionaries of Jesus, a congregation affiliated with the Jalandhar diocese, of multiple counts of rape between 2014 and 2016. He was acquitted in the case in January 2022.

While the Vatican accepted the court's decision, Mulakkal was not given any new responsibilities within the church.

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