By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, Jan 23, 2022: The Delhi chapter of the Indian Christian Women’s Movement (ICWM) has demanded immediate reinstatement of the rape survivor nun in her congregation.
The movement, representing women from various Christian denominations across the country, on January 22 met Archbishop Anil J Couto of Delhi to present him a statement to pass on to Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli.
The statement refers to the victim in the historic nun rape case where Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar was accused of raping a nun multiple times inside a convent in Kerala, southern India.
A court in Kerala on January 14 acquitted the prelate saying the prosecution failed to prove his guilt.
The ICWM-Delhi statement asserts that the movement “stands in complete solidarity with the victim/survivor nun who broke the silence against continuous abuse and exploitation by Bishop Franco Mulakkal” of Jalandhar.
“As women, we are feeling completely outraged and humiliated by having to prove our pain and trauma, time and time again. We are sick and tired of proving why there was a delay in filing a report. Why there was a delay in speaking up? How could we endure it for such a prolonged period of time? Because it has been instilled in us to respect the men of cloth.”
The statement points out that the bishop and nuns have “a fiduciary relationship” and the prelate should have protected those serving the Lord under him. “Instead, women in the Church are feeling unsafe and vulnerable, open to abuse in their congregations and Churches. Anyone who dares to speak against the powerful men of cloth are isolated, neglected and targeted for speaking up,” the statement bemoans.
Observing that “this travesty of justice and denial of respect to women in the Church has gone on long enough,” the movement demands an end to “inappropriate behavior by priests, bishops and any other in power.”
It stresses “processes and systems within the Church to safeguard” women, who devote their lives in the service of Christ vowing chastity.”
Sexual abuse within the Church, the women body says, makes a mockery of their dedication and commitment. “How long will the Church continue to shield men in power who audaciously break their vows and shamelessly exploit the weak? How long will the women in the Church be forced to bear the heavy burden of shame, social disapproval and acrimony?” it asks.
The movement’s Delhi chapter calls for “complete and unconditional support” to the survivor and nuns within her congregation who support her.
“The nuns need to be supported and not marginalized; the victim/survivor nun should be reinstated immediately to her order, pending judgement. We are pained to see such a differential treatment meted to the victim/survivor nun. Psycho-social care should be immediately made available to both the victim/survivor nun and her supporters,” the movement says.
It also asks for “an assurance that there wouldn’t be any further victimization of the victim/survivor nun and her supporters. We strongly urge you to use your influence to persuade your fellow Archbishops to be sensitive and protective towards the victim/survivor nun and all those who support her.”
The statement was signed by Amelia Andrews (convener), Sandhya Samuel (coordinator), Sushma Ramswami (treasurer and national team member), Mavis Russell (founder member and core committee member), Elizabeth Martin (core committee member) and Evelyn Prem Singh (core committee member).
Ramswami told Matters India that Archbishop Couto was “very receptive to ICWM delegation. He had an open conversation with us.” He received the statement with a promise to pass it on to the nuncio, she added.