By Matters India reporter
Kochi: The High Court of Kerala has restrained the arrest of a Catholic nun, who heads an orphanage that admitted a child born to a minor girl abused by a priest.
The appellate court took the decision as an anticipatory bail from Sister Ophelia is scheduled for hearing on March 10.
The nun is the superintendent of the foundling home under Holy Infant Mary Convent at Vythiri in Wayanad district.
The convent belongs to the Sisters of Charity of Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (SCCG), popularly known as Maria Bambina Sisters, and functions under Calicut Latin rite diocese.
A press release the congregation issued on March 6 dismissed as baseless an allegation that Sister Ophelia had admitted the child to protect the accused priest.
The police on February 28 arrested Father Robin Vadakkumcherry, who has reportedly confessed to impregnating the 16-year-old girl. The 48-year-old priest was the vicar of St Sebastian’s Church of Kottiyoor, a parish under Mananthavady diocese.
According the press release, the child was admitted to the foundling home around midnight on February 7. The home registered the admission the following day, the nuns clarified.
The home is registered under the Juvenile Justice act that gives the institution the authority to accept and care new born babies. The nuns claimed their center has done all formalities in accordance with the law.
The center has handed over all relevant documents to the police for verification. The center had also informed Sister Betty Jose, a member of the Child Welfare Committee of Wayanad, over phone to initiate further action according to the Juvenile Justice Act rule 8 which they have not done on time.
On February 20, as directed by Sister Jose, the home presented the child to the nun at a hospital in Kalpetta, complete adoption formalities. The press release says the child’s mother was present, but she did accompany her baby to the foundling home when he was admitted.
The persons, who brought the new born child to the home, said the mother was ill following the delivery and that she was above 18 years, the mandatory age for adulthood.
The press note says the center for care of children and adoption has functioned since 1984. It is registered and recognized by the state government. The nuns also said all allegations against them are aimed to tarnish their organization’s image.
Sister Ophelia and four other nuns are accused of trying to cover up the crime and have been charged with offences under provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The girl, an eleventh grader, had delivered the child at Christu Raja Hospital at Koothuparamba in Kannur district.
Sister Ophelia is the eighth accused in the case. The charge against her is that she failed to inform the child welfare committee about receiving the child.