Far from Rome and the Vatican, where the Pope, the bishops for “abuse summit” be convened, calling for Indian nuns justice for the victims of a violent cleric. DW spoke with one of them.
Last June, an Indian sister of the order of “Missionaries of Jesus had displayed” the religious community of the competent Bishop Franco Mulakkal because of repeated rape. The Bishop is said to have committed the acts between 2014 and 2016 during his Visit in the Mission “St. Francis” in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Kerala, the state with the most Christians (around 18 percent of the population) in India. In September, five religious sisters in Kerala’s largest city Kochi for the arrest of the Bishop, which took place shortly thereafter, also demonstrated. He has since been released on bail and his office “with the permission of the Pope,” to rest.
The five nuns, who come from various regions of India, remain opposed to a statement of the order’s line, meanwhile, in Kerala, together in one place, in order to remain in the vicinity of the applicant, and to continue to push for awareness of this and other cases of abuse in the Church in India. DW spoke with one of the five sisters, Sr. Anupama (article, photo o. l), about their concerns.
Protest by nuns and Muslims against Bishop Mulakkal in September 2018
DW: How difficult is the fight with the powerful clergy of Kerala is?
Sr. Anupama: It is a challenge and we had some serious moments. After the protest action in the framework of the forum “Save our Sisters” in Kochi, we had held with the aim of the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, we are under constant observation. The written order (the order line), to us in our conventions (in different places of India) to go, was an act of vengeance of the Church apparatus. We have done the order, we would have been in danger of their lives, we had no security guarantees from the authorities. We should clearly be punished because of our rebellion against the Bishop.
What pressure is being exercised against you and your sisters?
The pressure is exerted on silence. We can’t always move freely, the money allocations to us to cover only the absolute bare necessities, we are being watched. We need to provide all the time, what is happening behind our backs. At the funeral of the priest Kuriakose Katuthara, was found in October of last year under mysterious circumstances in the Northern state of Punjab dead, we were insulted and asked to remove us. Katuthara had supported us, and against Bishop Mulakkal said.
In September of 2018 Bishop was arrested Mulakkal.
The Church is trying to sweep the incidents under the carpet?
The Church in Kerala is in a severe crisis. But instead of reforms to address and help the truth to light, with means, such as isolation, character assassination and false accusations against us. We nuns are on the side of truth and we require a protected and safe place for us. In the past two years, there have been many cases where priests were accused in Kerala for sexual Offences. We fight for our sisters who suffer in silence and we will continue our Protest until you know all righteousness.
At the beginning of the month, the Catholic bishops ‘ conference of Kerala guidelines issued with “zero tolerance” for sexual abuse. What do you think?
Such a catalogue with the rules is not enough. Also, the timing of the release raises a number of questions. What we seek is a complaint mechanism that is transparent, practical and assertive, so that all can feel safe.
At the end of the week, bishops from all over the world come together at the Vatican of Pope Francis convened the summit, on the theme: Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. What is your opinion on this?
Christians in Kerala celebrate Easter
I welcome the Initiative and hope that something Concrete comes out of it. In the end, it comes to eliminate the Evil of abuse in the Church. Therefore, it is important to raise the awareness of the bishops for the Problem, and that it shows you how you can with the Problem have to deal with. The fact that the Pope has convened the conference, shows how urgent the matter is. The topic must be thoroughly and without fear will be discussed. Every day new messages about exploitation and abuse to permeate through the walls of the Church to the Public. The focus should not be only on the Western countries, but it must be exactly looking. It is clear that measures must be taken to protect the Weak and justice to the Victims.
To what extent was support from the Vatican, as the crisis in Kerala came to a head?
We had hoped to support by the Pope, but it was not for a messenger was sent to us to investigate the incident, although he learned a lot of media coverage. But that doesn’t matter. Our fight goes on. We will not go away until the case is decided, and our sister got justice.