KOCHI: Sr. Lissy Vadakkeyil, who gave a statement against Jalandhar diocese Bishop Franco Mulakkal in support of the rape victim nun, has been subjected to mental harassment, it is alleged. She told a television channel that she fears a threat to her life.
She also said that she had been asked to change the statement or leave the congregation and added that she is facing prison life inside the convent. "I am being denied food and medicine," she said and alleged that the convent authorities behaved rudely when she asked for money to buy medicines. The other nuns in the convent have been removed from the place leaving her isolated.
"The Provincial and the Mother General have compelled me to change the statement," Sr. Lissy said. She had got a transfer from Vijayawada to Kerala due to death threats, but was again transferred under pressure, she said.
"I am being tortured by these people. They are not giving me even a few drops of oil to apply on my hair. When I asked for oil they asked me to shut up. All these started after I gave a statement against the bishop. I am not allowed even to talk to my mother or siblings," the sister was quoted as saying.
The Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC), however, denied the allegations and described the charges as baseless. In a statement, FCC Provincial Superior Sr. Alphonsa said Sr. Lissy Vadakkel's allegation that she was transferred was not true. The FCC was not even aware that Sr. Lissy has made a statement against Bishop Franco.
On the charges of FCC authorities forcing her to leave the congregation, the Provincial Superior said that they had only asked her to follow the rules and lifestyle of the congregation.
Dissident nuns petition police
Five dissident nuns staying at the St Francis Mission home at Kuravilangad have expressed apprehensions over the delay in framing charges against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the sexual harassment case.
The nuns of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, Sr Anupama, Sr Ancita, Sr Alphy, Sr Josephine, and Sr Neena Rose, visited the district police chief S. Harisankar on Saturday and presented their complaint. The complaint said that despite the police completing the investigation earlier, filing the charge-sheet was delaying. They alleged that the bishop was transferring them to various places in the country to prevent them from standing witnesses.
