Kerala nun protesting against Bishop Mulakkal gets notice from Church for leading life 'against religious principles'

Kochi: A nun, who published poems, bought a car and took part in a protest against former bishop of the Jalandhar diocese in connection with a rape case, has been issued a notice by her congregation, for leading a life “against principles of religious life”. [caption id=“attachment_4635791” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Getty Images[/caption] In its notice, the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, based in Aluva near Kochi, accused sister Lucy Kalapura belonging to its St Mary’s province, Mananthavady, of leading a life which was against the “principles of religious life” and the rules of the congregation. The nun has been asked to offer an explanation to Superior General sister Ann Joseph at Generalate of the Congregation at 11 am on Wednesday. When asked whether sister Lucy could reach the congregation at 11 am, a nun who attended the phone of the congregation office said she would face problems commuting from Wayanad, as the vehicles were off the road on account of the nationwide strike called by trade unions. The congregation termed as “grave violations” the nun having a driving licence, buying a car, taking a loan for it and publishing a book spending money without permission and knowledge of her superiors. The provincial superior had denied permission to Sister Lucy to publish her collection of poems. She, however, published her book Snehamazhayil without seeking permission from her superiors. The congregation also called a “grave scandal” the nun’s participation in discussions on TV news channels, and writing articles for non-Christian newspapers “making false accusations against Catholic leadership and belittling it.” The sister had invited the wrath of the Church leadership by participating in a street protest in Kochi by five nuns belonging to the Catholic religious order Missionaries of Jesus, who were demanding the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was accused of raping a nun. The nun could not be reached for her comments.