Sister Lucy Alleges Starvation By Church, Another Nun Warns Her For Poison

She spoke out, she was expelled and now Sister Lucy says she is being starved by church. According to latest reports, the nun - who raised her voice against the Bishop Franco in an sexual assault case - claims that the authorities are locking her food and may be even poisoning it. Sister Lucy Kalappura is an ex-nun belonged to the Franciscan Clarist Congregation in Mananthavady, Wayanad who was expelled for being vocal about woman rights inside Church & convents. She was expelled by Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC)  in Mananthavady, Wayanad for "serious indiscipline".

"I have filed three complaints against the convent authorities but police failed to take action in any of them. It seems the police are scared to take action against authorities who trouble me," she said. "If the police take some action, my tormentors will be prevailed. But they haven’t taken any action fuelling more harassment. Despite all the troubles, I will not leave the convent," she said adding she will move the court soon as per report filed by Hindustan Times.

Also read: Kerala Nun Backing Rape Survivor Colleague Gets Expulsion Threat

SheThePeople reached out to former-nun Sister Jesme who said she had called Sr Lucy and instructed her to beware of poison and medicines that might degrade her mental health. "I told her whatever food they give you, be aware of either poison or mentally retarding medicine because mental and physical health is very important. She also told me about a sewing machine incident where she wanted to stitch a uniform for herself but the authorities removed all the parts of the machine which she went and bought but still it didn't work. So she asked them what they did with the machine, to which they asked her what right she has to stitch a new garb?"

Questioning the Expulsion

"Her argument is if someone joins the convent submitting everything they have and doing service for such a long time then how can the church expel her one fine morning out of nowhere? It is not justice." She added, "However, my standpoint is why to cling on to an unjust convent? There are only fowl things happening there and that's why I left. I chose to leave before the convent can harm me and save my life which is a gift from God? However, she has a different view of it which must also be respected." says Sr Jesme.

Also read: Convent Can’t Digest Dissent: Ex Nun On Sister Lucy’s Dismissal

"She is waiting for the pope to reconsider the matter and make the final decision. She has a way of fighting. Her father was also a very revolutionary figure in society. She took upon that spirit from her father,"

She added that Sr Lucy is clinging to the last straw of hope which is a response from pope Francis. "She is waiting for the pope to reconsider the matter and make the final decision. She has a way of fighting. Her father was also a very revolutionary figure in society. She took upon that spirit from her father," says Sr Jesme.

In December, a Wayanad court ordered a stay over FCC action against her. Sr Lucy was one of the many nuns who protested against Bishop Franco Mullakkal who is allegedly accused of raping another nun.

The Background

A Kerala nun accused Mullakal, a senior member of the Roman Catholic clergy in India, of raping her and sexually assaulted her at the Kuravilangad convent between 2014 and 2016. The police arrested him last year after the allegations. He is currently out on bail. In the past few years, there have been some serious charges of rape and sexual abuse against bishops and priests coming into the spotlight. (Picture credit- Madhyamam)