Kolkata: The president of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) Cardinal Baselios Cleemis arrived in Ranaghat on Wednesday to meet the 71-year-old nun, who was gang-raped by dacoits in West Bengal's Nadia district, and said that authorities should ensure that justice is done and made visible.
“Such inhuman acts should be stopped. We request the authorities to ensure that justice is done and made visible,” he said while speaking to mediapersons.
He said that the Catholic Church's commitment will continue. “We will not be stopped by such events and such violations,” he said.
The Cardinal further said that he will meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at 4:45 pm today.
“We will request Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take a fast approach in the matter and ensure that justice is brought to us at the earliest,” he said.
Cardinal Baselios Cleemis arrived in Kolkata today morning from where he traveled to Ranaghat, where the elderly nun is undergoing treatment in a hospital.
He visited the elderly nun at the hospital and offered prayers at the hospital room and also met other nuns at the convent to give them moral support.
“I have met the Sister. She has forgiven the culprits and prays for them,” he was quoted by ANI.
“We are here to verify what had happened. The entire Catholic Church is behind nun,” the Cardinal said.
Meanwhile, Consul General of Italy, Cesare Bieller, also visited the nun at the hospital, where she is currently recovering.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien had earlier taken to Twitter to confirm Cardinal's visit.
Rumour mongering. NO Vatican delegation is visiting Bengal today. Cardinal Cleemis from Kerela is meeting Bengal CM today #Ranaghat
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) March 18, 2015
The horrific incident took place when a group of dacoits broke into the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat and raped the nun after gagging her.
The gang also decamped with Rs 12 lakh which was kept in the almirah locker.
The CCTV footage has also shown the faces of the four accused allegedly involved in the crime.
Even though several people have been detained in connection with the case, no arrest has been made by police so far.
Meanwhile, the condition of the elderly nun continues to be physically and mentally stable and she is responding to treatment, doctors have said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also sought a report from the state government and expressed concern over the incident.
