October 18, 2019

anna  Murray 

On May 11, the Catholic congregation's General Council voted unanimously to dismiss Sister Lucy Kalapura. The dismissal also received confirmation from the Congregation for the Oriental Churches on August 5. A letter was issued from the superior general of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation in Kerala state, Sister Ann Joseph, confirming her dismissal.

The letter charged Sister Kalapura several acts of disobedience and had led a life against the principles of religious life. The accusations of her wrongdoings include disobeying a transfer order, publishing poems purposely after permission denied, buying a vehicle for about US$5,670, withholding her salary from the congregation from December 2017, and participating in protests in 2018 against Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jullundur.

In April, Bishop Mulakkal was charged with several instances of rape in different congregations. Although Sister Kalapura has the right to appeal to the Apostolic Signatura, she said she has been denied justice by the Vatican. Instead, she will go to court on behalf of all the people who are being suppressed and facing illegal behavior from authorities of the congregation.

Photo:Webshot.