The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition demanding a ban on the print and distribution of Sister Lucy Kalappura’s autobiography, in which she exposes the alleged dirty workings of the clergy.
Titled Karthaavinte Naamathil (In the name of God), the autobiography which contains numerous revelations by Sister Lucy will be published by DC books.
Dismissing the petition, the court directed the petitioner to approach the state police if she had grievances against the contents of the autobiography. The petitioner, identified as Sister Lisiya Joseph of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate congregation, argued that the criticism in book written by Sister Lucy will bring great insult to the priests and nuns of the church. The petition named Sister Lucy Kalappura, publisher DC Books, Kerala DGP and Chief Secretary as the respondents in the case.
Despite facing isolation from the church, Sr Lucy Kalappura has been a vocal supporter of the survivor nun in the rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal and has continued her fight against the system.
Excerpts of her autobiography were published in the Malayalam weekly Samakalika Malayalam Varika, which speaks about the abuse, mostly sexual, that nuns are allegedly subjected to by priests.
“I am aware of instances where young nuns are forcefully sent to priests in some convents. The nuns are subjected to unusual kinds of sexual depravity. The priests would watch them nude for hours. Some priests are perverts to the extent that they don’t even listen when the nuns say that they are fed up,” Sister Lucy’s autobiography says.
Her autobiography reveals several instances in which nuns are sexually exploited or assaulted. While some nuns are consenting, others silently suffer through it, her book states. The revelations in Sister Lucy’s book are similar to those exposed by Sister Jesmi, in her book, Amen: The Autobiography of a Nun published in 2009.
Sr Lucy’s book also speaks of exploitation faced by junior nuns at the hands of senior nuns.