The Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) in Kerala has issued show-cause notice to expelled nun Sister Lucy Kalappura, who led protests against rape-accused Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal. According to ANI, the FCC has demanded she withdraw her police complaint against the local superior nun and issue an apology.
Kerala: Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) issues showcause notice to expelled nun Sister Lucy Kalappura. FCC has demanded she withdraw her police complaint against local superior(Kalappura alleged superior locked her up in a room in the convent) and issue apology. 1/2
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
Sister Lucy had filed a written complaint to the police earlier this week in which said that she found herself locked inside the convent in the morning as she got ready to attend the holy mass in the nearby church. Based on her complaint, the police registered a case under Section 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code. Sister Lucy was expelled from the congregation early this month for leading a life that was against the 'principles of religious life' and the rules of the congregation.
The Church had been exerting pressure on Sr Lucy to quit after she participated in the protests against rape-accused Bishop Franco. She has been asked to submit explanation for several show-cause notices, too. Sister Lucy had actively participated in the street protest against Bishop Franco in Kochi along with nuns belonging to the Missionaries of Jesus demanding his arrest.
Bishop Franco was arrested last year following allegations by a nun that he had repeatedly raped her at a convent in Kerala's Kottayam district between 2014 and 2016. The bishop had denied all the charges.
