The Vatican has rejected Sister Lucy Kalappura’s appeal against the expulsion order issued by the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC). She was ousted for her ‘lifestyle’, which seemingly violated the congregation’s laws.
Sr Lucy has been a vocal advocate for the rape survivor nun in the Bishop Franco Mulakkal case. Her violations, according to the FCC, were that she wrote and published poems, learnt how to drive, bought a car and supported the protests against Bishop Franco.
Sr Lucy’s appeal was rejected through a Decree of the Congregation of the Oriental Churches from Vatican, which she received on Wednesday morning. The decree was sent to Sr Lucy along with a letter written by Sr Ann Josef, the superior general of the FCC in New Delhi.
The decree, accessed by TNM, states that Sr Lucy can present a new appeal if she wishes. “The Congregation has rejected the recourse presented by Sr Kalapura. If she will consider that the present Decree is against her lawful rights, she can present a new recourse to the Supreme Tribunal of Segnatura Apostolica within the peremptory term prescribed by the law,” according to the letter from New Delhi, dated Oct. 11.
Reacting to this, Sister Lucy told TNM that she will not move out of the convent under any circumstances. “I have not yet decided on the further course of action. But I will not leave from here. What is the need for me to go? I have not done anything wrong, I will stay here itself,” she said.
She also said that the letter was not sent to her directly. “It was not even covered in an envelope. It was handed over to me by Sr Jyothi Maria, the provincial general,” Sr Lucy said.
Sr Lucy of Mananthavady Diocese in Wayanad received two warning letters from congregation heads for her “lifestyle” as well as for challenging the Church by supporting the survivor nun in the rape case against Bishop Franco.
Following her support for the survivor nun, she was banned from teaching the Bible, attending prayers, worship services and other activities of the parish, including offering holy communion.
Most recently, after serving the letter of dismissal, the congregation had also stated that they would not provide any compensation to Sr Lucy.