Wayanad: A Catholic nun who was relieved of her responsibilities was reinstated on September 24 as parishioners rallied behind her and protested the decision by the parish vicar.
Sr Lucy Kalappura, a member of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, was directed to stop discharging her duties on September 23 at the St Mary’s Church in Karackamala, a parish under the Mananthavady Diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, for supporting a nuns’ agitation against Franco Mulakkal, the rape accused former bishop of Jalandhar.
Fr Stephen Kottackal, the parish vicar, had stated that many believers expressed concern over some of the statements made by the nun which they believed were in conflict with ways of the faithful.
Sr Lucy’s was a noted presence at a protest venue in Kochi where five nuns of the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) congregation demanded the arrest of Franco, who reportedly raped another MJ nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016.
The Catholic Church has responded strongly against support extended by some of the priests and sisters to the agitation.
On September 24, a group of believers turned up at the St Mary Church and proclaimed support for the nun. They also demanded a withdrawal of the vicar’s decision.
Soon, the vicar revoked the decision to remove her, setting off celebrations at the parish.Sr Lucy thanked her supporters and said it was a high point in her life as a nun.
source: Deccan Herald