Relief for dismissed Kerala nun as court stays her expulsion from convent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A local court in Wayanad on Thursday stayed the Franciscan Clarist Congregation’s (FCC) decision to expel Sister Lucy Kalappura from the congregation and convent, ostensibly for indiscipline but in reality, the nun claimed, because she supported the agitation against the deposed bishop of Jalandhar Franco Mullakal, who is facing charges of rape. She has repeatedly sought his arrest for raping another nun.

The FCC, part of the Catholic church, expelled the nun from the congregation in August citing “serious indiscipline and other charges.” Kalappura claimed she was victimised and moved the court questioning her expulsion.

The Mananthawady munsif court has stayed disciplinary action against her till further orders.

“We have been let down by church authorities. But I have immense faith in the judicial system of the country,” said the nun. Earlier, the Vatican rejected her plea to cancel action against her.

“The Vatican rejected my plea without hearing me. I have submitted a fresh petition, but I don’t expect a positive decision,” she said. Despite her expulsion she is staying at the same convent in Mananthawady and has resisted repeated attempts to forcibly evict her. A spokesman of the FCC said it would file an appeal.

Kalappura’s autobiography, released earlier this month, has ruffled many feathers and some church organizations have carried out protests against her. Police strengthened her security after she complained of a threat to her life.

In her book, titled Karthavinte Namathil (In the name of Christ) she claimed that she fought off four sexual assault attempts during her convent life. She also alleged that some young nuns were subjected to sexual perversions at the residence of a priest.