Sister Lucy Kalappura - the nun who was dismissed on "disciplinary grounds" after she protested against rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal - has been ordered by the Vatican to vacate her hostel. This was her third plea against her dismissal from the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC).
A letter by the Superior General of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation in Kerala, which is part of the Catholic Church, stated that Sister Lucy’s petition has been rejected by the legal forums within the Catholic Church.
“At last, in the fullness of time according to the plan of Holy Trinity…the Almighty God untied the knot of our heartbreaking issue concerning Lucy Kalapura. The appeal of Lucy Kalapura is rejected by Apostolica Signatura and the dismissal is confirmed. Let us raise our hearts praising the Almighty for his unspeakable gift. (sic)” said Sister Ann Joseph, Superior General of FCC.
What did the letter say?
The letter read: "There is no further legal remedy available to you within the Catholic legal system to challenge your dismissal... your right to continue as a member of the FCC is now definitively and irrevocably extinguished.”
Sister Lucy has been told that from now onwards it will be unlawful for you to continue to stay in any of the Franciscan Clarist Convents.
Reportedly, Sister Ann in her letter said that all levels of appeals available within the catholic legal system have been availed by Sister Lucy “and in all these levels your recourse against the decree of dismissal is rejected”.
Stating that Sister Lucy’s right to continue as a member of the FCC is now “definitely and irrevocably extinguished”.
Sister Ann also informed that Sister Lucy can no longer wear the FCC vestments and has to vacate the Convent within a week of receiving the letter. If she continues to stay in the hostel beyond the permitted time, she will be treated as criminal trespass and FCC will take action against her.
Reasons cited for plea dismissal
The FCC stated that Sister Lucy’s in 2019 had failed to explain why she violated the rules of the religious order and her not wearing her religious habit. She has also been accused of obtaining a driver's licence without the permission of her superiors, purchased a car and published a book of poetry.
Also Read: As Crude, manufacturing costs soar, inflation hits an all-time high of 12.94%
What Sister Lucy says about the FCC letter
Rubbishing FCC’s claims, Sister Lucy said that her petition was still pending before the Vatican. She suspects that the documents sent to her were bogus and that fake news was being circulated.
Sister Lucy told the media that "justice is being denied because I spoke the truth".
"Not one person can be denied justice like this. Justice is being denied because I spoke the truth. These people who are denying justice are the ones who teach that truth must be said. The people are with me," she added.
Sister Lucy alleged that the disciplinary action against her was started only because she participated in the protest against Mulakkal.
More on Sister Lucy case
Sister Lucy along with several other nuns on 20 September 2018 had staged a hunger strike demanding the arrest of Bishop Mulakkal who was accused of raping a nun for many years involving wrongful confinement, unnatural offence and criminal intimidation.
Mulakkal was denied of all allegations and is currently out on bail, is being tried by a Kottayam court for the rape of a nun between 2014 and 2016.
The leadership had also questioned her participation claiming that she had bypassed the authorities on the matter. Accusing her of writing for “non-Christian” papers without asking approval from the provincial superior and “defaming” the FCC.
Also Read: What led to the revolt and collapse of Chirag Paswan's party
Nuns who had stood against Mulakkal had also allegedly been threatened in 2019.