Bishop DNA test at non-Catholic hospital?

Bishop KA Williams of Mysuru

The Catholic Laity group Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC) on Saturday wrote a letter to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli - the recently appointed Papal Nuncio to India and Nepal - strongly objecting to the Bishop of Mysuru's DNA test being conducted at St John's Hospital in Bengaluru.

Bishop KA Williams of Mysuru - against whom there are allegations of kidnapping, misappropriation of church funds, as well as accusations of having fathered two children and having used his clout to coerce and threaten victims/witnesses - had taken over the Mysuru Diocese back in 2017. Just a few months after him taking charge, 37 priests wrote to the Vatican asking for his resignation, on grounds that he had fathered children and was also involved in multiple illicit affairs. However, Williams refuted the allegations and told the media that he was being targeted by some priests for his efforts to reform the church.

After almost two years of allegations being levelled against him, the Vatican finally initiated a probe against Bishop William in February 2021 and set up a three-member inquiry commission to look into the matter. But Saturday's letter written to the Nuncio - who was appointed to the post in March this year - stated that the AOCC had learned from "sources in the Vatican" that Bishop Williams' DNA tests will be conducted by a three-member inquiry committee at St John's Hospital.

"AOCC strongly objects to Bishop William's paternity or DNA test being conducted in any Catholic hospitals in India," said Melwyn Fernandes, general secretary, AOCC. His letter adds: "We know from earlier experiences that influential clergymen who are in support of him can manipulate the reports of the tests conducted in Catholic hospitals."