Sexual Abuse Rampant In Convents And Seminaries, Alleges Nun Who Was Expelled For ‘Speaking Against Rape-Accused Priest’

Sister Lucy Kalapura, nun who was expelled from the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) three months back for alleged indiscipline, has revealed in her autobiography that sexual abuse and assaults are common in convents and seminaries, Hindustan Times reported.

In the book titled ‘Karthavinte Namathil’ (In the Name of Christ), Sister Kalapura has sought several institutional reforms in the Catholic Church. The book was released on Saturday (30 November).

Making serious allegations in her book, she reveals that she had faced sexual assault attempts at least four times in her convent career of over 35 years. She also adds that majority of nuns surrender to such intimidations.

Speaking to HT over the phone, she said, “It is all about my life in the convent. It is a collection of my memoirs. It is not a fiction but hard truth. I wish church authorities accept some of these realities to stem the rot. Most of the time they are in denial mode and try to brush it aside.”

The 52-year-old also said that she would continue to be a nun until her last breath, adding, she would be happy if her book could bring some reforms in the church.

Sister Kalapura had been removed from the FCC of the church this year in August for “serious indiscipline”. However, she maintains that she was targeted for demanding arrest of the rape-accused Jalandhar bishop, Franco Mullakkal.

She also writes that several young nuns faced sexual abuse at the official residences of priests.

Among many serious allegations is one against father Robin Vadakumcherry, who is serving a double-life term for impregnating an underage girl in Kottiyoor (Kannur) in 2016. She claims the father had illicit relations with a number of nuns, before being sentenced to 20 years in jail in February 2019, under Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Church leaders and authorities, when contacted, denied any remarks on the book, saying they had not yet read it.

All 3,000 copies of the 230-odd-page volume were sold out on the first day, according to the publisher DC Books. “We are getting enough inquiries. In the second edition, we are planning more copies to meet the demand,” said its spokesperson AV Sreekumar.

The publisher also said that the book, written in Malayalam, will soon be translated into Hindi and English.