Reverends, silence is violence – how many more Shineys are there?

Prof. Augustine Veliath

The Catholic Church proclaims itself as a champion of justice, compassion, and the protection of the vulnerable. Yet, its silence on cases of gender violence often betrays these values. The tragic case of Shiney Kuriakose and her two daughters, who ended their lives by jumping in front of a train in Ettumanoor, Kerala, lays bare this glaring contradiction.

Shiney, a victim of unrelenting domestic abuse, sought help from the police months before her death, but her pleas went unanswered. Her daughters, too, endured unimaginable suffering, as revealed by the post-mortem report that showed they had not eaten for 18 hours before their deaths. Denied even a “last supper,” their lives were extinguished in a tragedy that unfolded during Lent, a time meant for reflection, compassion, and renewal.

The question now looms large: How many more Shineys are there? How many more women are suffering in silence, abandoned by the very institutions meant to protect them? Shiney’s death is not an isolated incident—it is a symptom of a systemic failure that demands immediate attention and action.

1. Institutional Stability Over Justice

The Church has long been accused of prioritizing its reputation over justice. Publicly, it preaches compassion and fairness. Privately, it often works to shield itself from controversy, even when this comes at the expense of the vulnerable.

Shiney Kuriakose’s case is a painful reminder of this troubling pattern. Despite her suffering and desperate need for intervention, the Church offered no meaningful support or guidance. Critics argue that the Church’s silence reflects its unwillingness to confront uncomfortable truths. This silence, they say, protects institutional stability while leaving victims like Shiney and her daughters to fend for themselves.

By failing to act, the Church sends a dangerous message: that the preservation of its image is more important than the lives of those it serves. This prioritization of institutional stability over justice perpetuates a culture of neglect, where victims are ignored, and perpetrators are emboldened.

2. The Tragic Death of Shiney Kuriakose

Shiney Kuriakose, a mother of two, was a survivor of relentless domestic abuse. On the day of her death, she and her daughters stood on the railway tracks in Ettumanoor, Kerala, and waited for an oncoming train. The act was a desperate escape from a life of suffering, neglect, and systemic inaction.

What makes this tragedy even more heart-wrenching is the revelation from the post-mortem report: Shiney’s daughters had not eaten for 18 hours before their deaths. Their hunger, both physical and emotional, is a chilling reminder of the isolation and despair they must have felt in their final hours. They were not only failed by the system but also left to endure their suffering in silence.

Shiney had reached out for help months before her death, filing a complaint against her abuser with the police. Yet, no decisive action was taken. The Church, too, remained silent, offering no solace or intervention. The only priest who spoke about the case dismissed victims of domestic abuse with a shocking statement: “If you are a victim, don’t come to us. Go to the police.”

Shiney did go to the police—she tried to seek justice within the system. But the inaction of both the Church and the authorities sealed her fate. Tragically, the police only acted after her death, a response too little and far too late.

3. Silence During the Lenten Period

Shiney’s death occurred during Lent, a sacred season of reflection, repentance, and renewal in the Christian faith. This period calls on believers to emulate Christ’s compassion and stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. Yet, the Church’s silence in the face of Shiney’s tragedy is deafening.

Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Christ’s Last Supper, is a day to reflect on service, love, and sacrifice. Yet, Shiney’s daughters were denied even their “last supper,” a haunting parallel that underscores the Church’s failure to embody Christ’s teachings.

Instead of addressing the systemic issues that led to Shiney’s death, the Church’s leaders have remained silent. No bishop has spoken out. No institution has taken accountability. This silence during a season of hope and redemption deepens the betrayal felt by victims and their families.

4. Internal Mechanisms That Fail Victims

The Church has long relied on its internal mechanisms—canonical law—to address disputes and allegations of abuse. These systems are often opaque, slow, and designed to protect the institution rather than deliver justice.

Victims of abuse frequently find themselves sidelined, their voices minimized by a system that prioritizes confidentiality and institutional unity. By failing to engage with external systems like the police in a timely and effective manner, the Church perpetuates a culture of neglect.

Shiney’s case highlights the devastating consequences of this failure. Despite her attempts to seek help, she was met with apathy and inaction. The Church’s refusal to prioritize transparency and accountability leaves victims like Shiney with nowhere to turn.

5. Cultural and Doctrinal Bias

The Church’s hierarchical structure and traditional teachings often create a culture that inadvertently sides with perpetrators. Teachings on obedience, family unity, and reconciliation discourage victims, especially women, from speaking out.

The language of forgiveness, central to the Church’s doctrine, is often weaponized against victims. They are pressured to forgive their abusers, while accountability for perpetrators is sidelined. This creates an environment where abuse is tolerated, and justice is denied.

In Shiney’s case, this cultural bias was evident in the Church’s failure to condemn her abuser or provide meaningful support. Instead of standing with the vulnerable, the Church perpetuated a culture of silence and inaction.

6. Social Media Speaks When Leaders Stay Silent

While Church leaders have remained silent, ordinary people have taken to social media to express their outrage. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have been flooded with posts mourning Shiney’s death and demanding accountability from both the Church and secular authorities.
This grassroots activism underscores the growing disconnect between the Church hierarchy and its followers. The silence of bishops and clergy has left a void that the public is now filling. However, social media outrage alone cannot bring about the systemic reforms needed to prevent future tragedies.
The only priest who addressed the issue further alienated victims with his dismissive remark: “If you’re a victim, go to the police.” His words highlight the lack of empathy and responsibility within the institution, further eroding trust among the faithful.

7. Systemic Failures

Shiney’s case is not an isolated incident. Across the world, the Church has been criticized for its handling of gender violence and abuse. Patterns of inaction, secrecy, and victim-blaming persist, creating an environment where perpetrators feel protected, and victims feel abandoned.

Processes often lack independent oversight and transparency, leading to significant delays and a lack of accountability. Allegations of abuse are handled internally, prioritizing institutional reputation over justice. This approach perpetuates cycles of suffering and silence.

Shiney’s death, and the deaths of her daughters, is a stark reminder of these systemic failures. Her cries for help went unanswered, and her tragedy could have been prevented if the Church and secular systems had acted when she first reached out.

8. A Call for Reform

The Church must take urgent action to address its systemic failures. Public declarations of justice and compassion must be matched by concrete reforms. Critics demand:

Transparency: Open and accountable processes to address abuse allegations.

Collaboration: A commitment to working with secular authorities to ensure justice.

Victim-Centric Policies: Systems that prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of survivors.

The silence of Church leaders in cases like Shiney Kuriakose’s cannot continue. By failing to act, they undermine the Church’s moral authority and betray the values they claim to uphold.

True reform requires courage. It demands accountability, empathy, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Only by addressing these systemic issues can the Church hope to regain the trust of its followers and fulfill its mission of justice and compassion.

Conclusion

The death of Shiney Kuriakose and her daughters raises the haunting question: How many more Shineys are there? How many more women and children are suffering in silence, abandoned by the institutions meant to protect them?

Lent is a season of reflection, penance, and renewal. But for Shiney and her daughters, it ended in despair. Their deaths demand more than silence—they demand systemic change.

Reverends, silence in the face of gender violence is violence. The Church must rise to the occasion, supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. Only then can it truly embody the values it preaches.

Isiah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist—please return to the Church.