No Ban On Kerala Nun's Autobiography That Gives Details Of Sexual Abuse By Catholic Priests

The Kerala High Court has rejected a plea seeking a ban on the printing, publication, and sale of "Karthavinte Namethil (In the name of Christ)" the autobiography of Sister Lucy, a nun who was expelled from the convent recently for alleged indiscipline.?

The petition was filed by Sister Lisiya Joseph, a member of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC), which Sister Lucy too was a member till she was expelled in August.?

The petitioner had south a ban on the book claiming that the content of Karthavinte Namethil is demeaning the Church, priests, and nuns.Dismissing the petition, the Kerala High Court said that if the complainant had any objection on the content of the book she can approach the concerned authorities.?

Karthavinte Namethil, which is published by Kottayam-based DC Books is scheduled to officially come out next week.The book, published in Malayalam has some damaging allegation on the rampant sexual abuses of nuns by priests.In her book, the 55-year-old former school teacher has alleged that during her life as a nun she has faced attempts of sexual abuse four times from priests.?

She also claimed that she was aware of an incident where a nun living in the convent giving birth after she was impregnated by a priest. The priest responsible for the pregnancy was protected by the church.?

Sister Lucy had first made news when she spoke out against Franco Mulakkal, the then Bishop of Jalandhar, Punjab who was accused of rape by a nun. She had also joined the protests by a group of nuns and activists in Kerala demanding action against the rape-accused bishop.?

However, the church saw her actions as indiscipline and warned her of consequences if she continued to do so. Sister Lucy was also served a show-cause notice by the FC Convent seeking an explanation and apology for action. After she failed to reply, in August the FC Convent expelled her from its fold.?

Meanwhile controversial Kerala politician PC George, who while defending the rape accused bishop had called the complainant a 'prostitute' has now attacked Sister Lucy's book.?

Calling her a characterless woman, George, who was until a few days ago a part of the NDA in Kerala, accused Sister Lucy of blackmailing and extortion.He also questioned why she was silent for more than three decades if she was aware of the sexual abuses by priests.?

Claiming that it is better to commit suicide than reading the book, George also asked why Sister Lucy has not named the four priests who allegedly tried to sexually abuse her.?