Mysuru Bishop William Asked to Go on Leave; B’luru Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Appointed Administrator

Verghese V Joseph –

Bengaluru: Mysuru Bishop Rev Kannikadass A William was on Saturday asked to take a period of absence from the ministry, and His Grace Most Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore has been appointed Apostolic Administrator in his place.

Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Bernard Moras

“In a communication received from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Dicastery for Evangelization has appointed His Grace Most Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore, Apostolic Administrator sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Diocese of Mysore for the ordinary administration and pastoral care of that local Church,” stated Archbishop Felix Machado, Secretary General, Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI).

The appointment will become effective from 7th January 2023, at 6 p.m.

The appointment of Dr Moras assumes significance as he had retired in 2018 as Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore. He was ordained in 1967. As a priest, he ministered especially in the healthcare sector. He was appointed Bishop of Belgaum on December 31, 1996.

The issue in Mysore has been festering for some years. Allegations include sexual misconduct, criminal activities and kidnapping. In 2019, Bishop William had then said that the allegations of corruption and sexual assault against him were baseless and he was ready to face investigation.

With allegations and counter-allegations flying thick and fast, it was only a matter of time before the Holy See’s office in India stepped in to stem the rot.

His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias

Last August, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias had to issue a video statement through Bombay Archdiocese YouTube channel over the controversy of his purported talk with Bishop William of Mysore two years back.

Edited versions of Cardinal’s August 2020 talk with Bishop William were doing the rounds lately in the online media and on social media platforms.  The contents of the talk give the impression that the Cardinal was trying to protect the accused Bishop William by arranging for a clandestine paternity test as ordered by Cardinal Tagle on August 15, 2020. The version also gives the impression that Cardinal Gracias was trying to protect Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese in an earlier rape issue. Another damaging impression was that the then Nuncio, Archbishop Giam Battista Diquattro, was diffident in pursuing the matter.

To clear the air, Cardinal Oswald, in his statement, emphatically denied being involved in any cover-up, whatsoever.

17 comments

  1. Since so many years he has been in many controversies. The priests and the lay faithful has been raising the atrocities of this holy man for donkey’s years. Atleast now the Vatican has taken decision. Most bishops think that once they are appointed bishops, they are kings and no one can do anything to them. This is good lessons for such bishops. Let the name of the lord be praised always.

  2. Sleeping church in India… Alert Present Nucio is a consolation to many who belives in Triumph of virtue at the end…. Present Nucio remainds us the meaning of church’s everliving decipline….
    Hope in india compulsory transfer of bishops in 12 years will bring end of many disregularities practiced by Nepotism of Bishops. Bishops’ Scheismic and Herectic behaviour should be addresed urgently by vatican Observations…

  3. The allegations were made with good evidence and the follow up action should have been swift, so a example would have been for the rest..

    It looks laity are taking the Church forward, with the clergy failing in its duty.. leading by example..
    Let Bishop William prove himself, innocent of these charges, and let the enquiry be fair..

  4. ಬೆಳೆಯುವ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಯಾರು ಸಹಿಸಿಕೊಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ದೇವರೊಬ್ಬರಿಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತು ಸತ್ಯಾಂಶ

  5. It is time the Pope seriously considerered stripping the Catholic Church of all hierarchical positions like those of archbishop and Cardinals that distract the clergy from living like Christ. They are an avoidable paraphernalia. Let the Church return to the simplicity as obtaining at the time of the Apostles. Most evils plaguing the Church would disappear particularly the arrogance and lack of biblical simplicity and commitment to spirituality

  6. Most of the bishop are not available in office and they treat themselves as King owning the kingdom. They forgot that it was the faithful donated their lands thinking these will improve the community. High politics,, favioursim, nepotism and looting as become the attributes for leading church. What a shame for church.
    Sheppard has become wolf

  7. Following Jesus and walking with his words is not so simple wearing the white gown,He shed Blood and Thrones Crown ..
    With Modern Facilities, we are fail prey to the temptations if Devil.
    They need Lots of Strength of Spirit,to walk among them.
    They think they are indispensable..the wrath of Gods anger will befall on them..They should be punished by stripping of the Holy Dress and responsibilities.

  8. Absolutely correct. It’s believers devotion made these church officials to act like emperors. They forgot for what they are anointed.

  9. What to say dear friends and faithful.
    I have been seeking / fighting for justice in the honourable high court of Odisha on my termination from employment issues. In order to protect a Jesuit priest from sodomical incidence, the Jesuits of the institute played nasty trick to show their white coated feathers by terminating us (4 personnel) from employment on the plea that there is no work for them in the institute. The case is pending in the odisha highcourt for long 19 years since June 2004 . The faithful don’t hide sin in confession. But, hiding truth has become fashion of the priests, bishops, Cardinals on this earth. CBCI, local archbishop avoided to hear my grievance. Oh God, give wisdom to understand your world of justice, and free us from the bonds of injustices.
    God bless us.

  10. If its Accusations .Truth will prevail.Let the accused find salvation before perdition.

  11. “GODS”WILL SURELY BE UPON THE TRUSTWORTHY .HE WILL JUSTIFY THE MAGNIFICENT SOULS.

  12. Holy Father himself is totally aware that he is servant of the servants. Then how is it, that certain Bishops are blind to this fact wilfully and why they abusing their power for evil activities? Why are they not able to serve the Lord but they are serving the devil? After all, what is the work of a Bishop? Is the Bishop made for domineering? Is he not authorised to be the servant of the people and be the protector of the faithful and the Priests and the lands and the other properties, which the Diocese owns? Why has the luxury become their style of life? Why are they using Mammon to safeguard and coverup their evils by bribing the civil authorities and adding corruption to corruption in an ungraceful way. Bishops too should be transferred so that there will be lesser hell on earth.

  13. God tolerates for some time but if it goes beyond one’s mission, He acts. Hence people who are entrusted with responsibilities need to focus on God’s mind n d good of His people. Instead if they function as though they are on d wings of d Holy Spirit, n act as though they control God, thinking that what ever they do or act has to be blindly accepted just bec they hold an office, then the result is God’s heavy hand. Diplomacy is a great sin n trying to silence the truth is not possible always.

  14. It is not enough to profess your servant hood. Practice it.
    The Catholic Church today has lost its purpose and goal .
    No one knows where we are headed to.
    The Catholic Church is most often than not contradicting Christianity.
    The Clergy have forgotten that the primary purpose as to why the Church exists is to
    Evangelise and call the sinners to repentance.
    Rather they are involved in money making. Shame!

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