The catholic church has been at loggerheads with Sister Lucy Kalappura after she joined public protests demanding the arrest of rape-accused Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese, Franco Mulakkal, in 2018. The church took a series of disciplinary actions against her. It first barred the nun – who belonged to the Franciscan Clarist Congregation - from conducting prayers. When she refused to fall in line, it expelled her from the congregation early this month. Despite the dismissal, Sister Lucy still lives in the congregation's convent in Mananthawady in Kerala's Wayanad district.
On August 24, she filed a police complaint against the convent's Mother Superior, Ligi Mariya, for locking her up inside a room. The congregation has asked Sister Lucy to withdraw the complaint and apologise to the Mother Superior. Even as the tussle between the two continues, the convent has installed three additional surveillance cameras. "The cameras were installed to monitor my movements," Sister Lucy alleged in an interview with Onmanorama. "But I am not scared. After I noticed them, I sang my favourite song and gently danced to its tune, fully aware that the camera will capture my movements.”
She said she threatened to reveals the names of priests who entered the convent through backdoor in a television channel debate 'to highlight the sexual abuses in convents in Kerala.”
Edited excerpts:
What was your response when you noticed a new surveillance camera near your room?
On Sunday, I noticed surveillance cameras in three locations – in front of my room, in the dining hall and in the balcony – inside the convent. I knew they were installed to monitor my movements. While eating the breakfast on Monday, I asked Mother Superior when did they install the cameras. She didn't respond. A nun who sat next to her told me that they were fitted a few days ago. I turned to the Mother Superior again and asked: “Don't you think that you have to inform the inmates before installing the hidden surveillance cameras?” She replied that she forgot to inform me.
But I am not scared. After I noticed them, I sang my favourite song and gently danced to its tune, fully aware that the camera will capture my movements..
You said in a recent television debate that it was a common for male priests to visit the convent through backdoor. You also threatened to reveal the names of priests who have entered your convent through backdoor. Why did you say that?
I meant what I said. My convent's backdoor is larger and more popular than the main entrance. Almost all the guests and priests who visit the convent enter through the backdoor. (The 'backdoor entry' topic came up for discussion after the police registered a case against a priest and five nuns in Wayanad for publishing a video to defame Sister Lucy. The doctored video showed Sister Lucy entering the convent along with two male journalists.)
I threatened to reveal the names of priests who entered the convent through backdoor 'to highlight the sexual abuses in convents in Kerala.' The rape case against Franco Mulakkal is not a one-off incident.
Why are you demanding that nuns' robes should be changed?
The robes nuns wear these days are not suitable for our climate. I believe that nuns should be allowed to wear clothes that suit their health and the place they live. I don't think the dress a nun wears is a criterion to judge her vows. For me, my body and my personality are more valuable than the gown. What matters most is your service, and not your robes.
I don't think there is a problem if a nun chooses to wear the dress of her choice. It is hypocritical that people who misbehave with the nuns – both in private and public - get to determine the decency of a nun's dress.
I feel that church discriminates heavily against the nuns. For example, male priests can wear the dress of their choice. They can watch movies and buy vehicles. But the church has imposed restrictions on nuns. The church has projected my ownership of a car and mobile phone as a crime.
You have appealed against your dismissal from the FCC. Do you think the Vatican will give you a reprieve?
The Vatican may give me two options. It may allow me to continue as a Franciscan Clarist Congregation nun. In that case, I will continue to live in the convent. On the flip side, it may ratify the congregation's dismissal order. In such a circumstance, I will ask the diocese to give me a secure house in Wayanad. I don't want to quit the convent in tears. I want the nuns who oppose me – including the superiors - to accompany me to the new house. I want to part ways with FCC in such a friendly manner. I hope they will say, 'Lucy, your causes, attitude and preferences are different from ours. You cannot stay with us as your life doesn't fit our norms. We support your right of free expression?'
I wish to serve the people of Wayanad till my last breath.
Have you decided to donate your body for medical studies?
Yes, I took the decision after a few priests said they will not allow my burial in a cemetery. They also threatened to throw my body into the rouge's pit. I don't want their rogue's pit.
There are allegations that you have broken your religious vows. What is your response?
I donated my full salary to the congregation till 2018 December. But since January 2019, I have stopped the practice. I need money for fighting the cases. I need money to start a new life if the church expels me. Besides, I need money to continue my social work. None of these are violations of my religious vows. Instead, the church leadership thrives on the money collected from thousands of nuns like me.
Why did you write poems and opinion pieces criticising the church?
My aim is to expose the injustices within the church. My congregation considers it a sin to express my opinions in independent magazines. I am sure the church-backed magazines will refuse to publish my pieces.
What is your biggest worry now?
I am concerned about the social commitment of nuns and priests. In 2017, my congregation denied me permission to donate one of my kidneys. In 2018, I suggested that FCC nuns should donate their eyes after death, but the suggestion went unaddressed.
How is your life at the convent now?
Other inmates in the convent have stopped behaving rudely with me, thanks to the police intervention. But they do not acknowledge my presence in the convent. They will give monosyllabic answers to my queries.
