Kerala Nun Who Supported The Protest Against Rape Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal Expelled From The Convent

In an outrageous act, Sister Lucy Kalapura, a Kerala nun who led the protests seeking justice to another nun who had accused the then Jalandhar Bishop, Franco Mulakkal of rape has been expelled by her congregation. Sister Lucy was expelled by the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) for "violating of norms of the congregation".

The nun has been given 10 days to make recourse on the order or to leave the convent. The dismissal letter was issued by Superior General of the Congregation Sr Ann Joseph.

"You were given the required canonical warnings, however, you did not show the needed remorse and you failed to give a satisfactory explanation for your lifestyle in violation of the proper law of the FCC," the letter said.?

Among other things, Sister Lucy was 'found guilty of' violating the norms of the convent by possessing a driving licence, buying a car, taking a loan for it, publishing a book, spending money without the permission and knowledge of her superiors, etc.

The letter also stated that the unanimous decision to expel her was taken after Sister Lucy failed to respond to a notice issued against her in March, seeking an explanation on her actions.?

Sister Lucy, who stays at Karakkamala convent of Mananthavady Diocese in Wayanad said she will challenge the dismissal order legally.

The nun landed in trouble after she attended various protests in Kerala led by the nuns from the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, in support of their colleague, who had accused Bishop Franco of raping her multiple times.

The action against Sister Lucy once again highlight the long-standing allegation by activists that the church was stifling the voices of those speaking up against the rape-accused Bishop.

Even the four nuns who had protested along with the complainant had to face vindictive actions by the congregation. Earlier this year the nuns who were staying with the rape victim in a convent in Kuravilangad were transferred to four different convents in four parts of the country.

The nun who made the complaint too had to face backlash from her congregation which resorted to character assassination of her while defending the accused. Bishop Mulakkal who was arrested by the Kerala Police in September, months after the nun had filed the complaint was released on bail in October. The case has hardly made any progress since, while the nun and those who have supported her continued to be targeted by the church authorities.?