Nun who supported protest against bishop told to leave

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) of the Catholic church on Friday asked a nun to leave the denomination immediately or face expulsion. The reason: she allegedly violated her vow to embrace poverty when she joined the congregation. But Sister Lucy Kalapura said she would not leave voluntarily, saying most charges levelled against her were baseless, and challenged the congregation to expel her.

Two days ago, Kalapura, who incidentally supported a campaign for the arrest of a deposed Bishop accused of sexually abusing a nun, appeared before the Mother General of the FCC in Ernakulam district’s in Aluva to explain her position, seeking police protection for the visit by claiming her life was under threat.

“You have consciously and wilfully violated the vow of poverty repeatedly. You uploaded a photo of yours in lay dress on Facebook and tried to justify our action by criticising the FCC religious habits in your channel discussions. You also bought a car in your name. ..,” the congregation wrote to her in letter signed by superior general, Sister Ann Joseph. HT has a copy of the letter. Sister Kalapura said she was issued four show-cause notices and she had replied to all and appeared before the superior general in person. “I denied all charges. I will not go on my own. Let them expel me,” she told HT, adding she would remain a nun until her death.

She said her struggle was not against the church, but against people who supported unjust and corrupt practices.