Nun accuses priests of sexual exploitation

KOCHI: Sister Lucy Kalappurayil, the rebel nun who revealed that she was subjected to sexual exploitation by priests soon after she became a nun in her autobiography, expressed readiness on Monday to name the priests who attempted to sexually abuse her.

In her autobiography titled Karthaavinte Naamathil (In the Name of the Lord), she had claimed that four priests had attempted to sexually abuse her soon after she became a nun, without naming any one.

Lucy said that several people have started attacking her on social media ever since the release of her book.

“I don’t have anything to say about this. Though I have filed a case against this, no action has been taken so far. It appears that the law is still favouring the culprits,” she said.

Lucy, who continues to stand firm by what she said in her book, further added that it is time for the church to correct its mistakes.

The book went on to allege that elderly nuns in some convents used to push younger nuns towards priests for sexual subjugation.

The book claimed that when a nun got pregnant with a priest and gave birth to a child, the church protected the priest.

“I have written about my experience as a nun for 35 years and also some of my experiences as a child,” she said. “I was forced to tell some bitter things in the open as I had such a bad experience from many of the higher authorities in the church,” she added.

According to Lucy, several priests used to sexually exploit nuns in the pretext of visiting the convent. She had even mentioned that Fr Robin, the accused in the Kottiyoor rape case, had affairs with several nuns. She even claimed that some of the senior nuns in the convent used to sexually abuse younger nuns.

Calling for a change in church laws, Lucy states in her autobiography that those priests and nuns who wish to lead a family life must be allowed to do so. “Many of the nuns are not able to overcome the provocations from the priests. Instead of controlling the emotions, the church must be ready to change its practices,” she added.