Kerala nun slams article against her in newspaper associated with catholic church

A catholic nun, who took part in a street protest here against a rape-accused bishop some months ago, continued to draw flak with a pro-church daily slamming her on Thursday for violating norms, even as she dubbed it as an “attempt to humiliate” her.

This comes days after the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) served a notice to Sister Lucy Kalappura accusing her of leading a life, which was against the “principles of religious life“.

The warning notice was issued after the nun had posted her photo wearing a ‘Salwar Kameez’ on her Facebook page, bought a car and published a poetry collection, even after she was denied permission by the church authorities.

Reacting to the article published in the Malayalam newspaper, the nun said she had no regret over whatever she had done.

“I am a person observing all vows and I have no regret in whatever I have done,” the nun, belonging to FCC, said.

“The article is an attempt to humiliate me through the media. But, I will not give up,” she said.

The daily predominately, run by Catholic priests and lay persons, carried a lengthy article in its editorial page against the actions of the nun without naming her.

The article, penned by a Noble Parakkal, accused the nun of insulting the church through her acts, taking part in the protest against the bishop without seeking permission, posting her photo on social media and grabbing media attention by spreading lies.

Accuses male priests

Sister Lucy had invited the wrath of the Church leadership by participating in a street protest here by five nuns belonging to the Catholic religious order Missionaries of Jesus demanding the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was accused of raping a nun.

The nun said the article accused her of violating the law and disciplines of the church at a time when several male priests were continuing to live an “unethical” life, she said.

In its notice sent earlier this week, the FCC had accused Sister Lucy Kalapura belonging to FCC’s St Mary’s province in Mananthavady, of leading a life, which was against the “principles of religious life” and the rule of congregation.

The congregation termed as “grave violations” a nun taking license, buying a car, taking a loan for it and publishing a book spending money without permission and knowledge of her superiors.

The provincial superior had denied permission to Sister Lucy to publish her collection of poems.

Book publishing

She, however, published her book “Snehamazhayil” without seeking permission from her superiors.

The congregation had also called as “grave scandal” the Nun participating in discussions in TV news channels and writing articles for non-Christian newspapers “making false accusations against Catholic leadership and belittling it.”

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