Thiruvananthapuram, March 1, 2020: The Vatican has for a second time rejected the appeal of a nun who was expelled from the Franciscan Clarist Congregation on “disciplinary grounds” in Kerala.
Sister Lucy Kalappura has maintained that the disciplinary action against her was initiated only because she participated in a protest against rape-accused catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who is facing rape charges.
Sister Kalappura was expelled in August 2019 from the Kerala-based congregation on “failing to give a satisfactory explanation for her lifestyle in violation of FCC laws” – which involved participating in protest against Bishop Mulakkal without permission, buying and driving a car, owning a driving license, publishing a book and earning remuneration.
Speaking to NDTV, Sister Kalappura said, “I will not go anywhere and continue to live in the congregation hostel. I have filed a case in the court and now let the court decide.” The case is likely to come up for hearing in the first week of March.
Sister Kalappura has several times in the past spoken about how she continues to live a life of isolation, with other nuns refusing to interact with her.
The congregation has said the nun was issued “proper canonical warnings,” but did not show the needed remorse.
The congregation had even written a letter to the nun’s mother in last August asking her to come and take back her daughter from the convent.
https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/sister-lucy-kalappura-vatican-rejects-2nd-appeal-of-kerala-nun-expelled-over-lifestyle-rules-2188078