Sister Lucy argues her own case in Kerala High Court as lawyer backs out
Sister Lucy Kalappura on Wednesday appeared before the Kerala High Court, challenging her eviction from the Franciscan Clarist Convent in Karakkamala.
FollowSister Lucy Kalappura on Wednesday appeared before the Kerala High Court, challenging her eviction from the Franciscan Clarist Convent in Karakkamala.
The nun was forced to defend herself in the courtroom after the senior lawyer who was supposed to appear in the case vacated her post.
She told Asianet News, "Helpless women are being thrown onto the streets. My case is an example of that. The church leadership is pushing me out of the protection of being a nun," she said, adding, "The situation is such that lawyers are not ready to take over my case."
In June this year, the Vatican had rejected the third plea challenging the expulsion of Sister Lucy from the FCC. She received a fresh communique from the Vatican in relation to her expulsion. After the communiqué was issued, Mother Superior of the FCC had sent a notice to Sister Lucy, directing her to vacate her room in the convent.
In her petition, she pleaded with the court not to throw her out on the street as she had been a nun for 39 years, and it was necessary for her to stay at the convent to continue her nunship.
"I am a nun who is fighting for justice. I also used to teach at a Catholic school. It is important for my nunship to continue to reside at the convent. Please do not throw me to the mercy of the streets like many other nuns in the past. I have nowhere else to go."
However, the Kerala High Court directed her to vacate the convent and assured her police protection after she complies.
Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V told Sister Lucy that her choice of accommodation was not the concern here.
"I cannot continue the police protection to you if you stay at the convent for the reason that you are no longer a recognised member of the congregation," the bench said.
Thereafter, the court reserved its order on Sister Lucy's petition.
