It appears that the churches in Kerala are taking action against the nuns and priests who joined the agitation demanding the arrest of rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the Kerala nun rape case. Sister Lucy Kalappura, one of the nuns who joined the dharna outside the Kerala High Court in Kochi, demanding the arrest of Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal, is said to be facing action from the church authorities in Mananthavady.

Sister Lucy has complained that the parish has removed her from performing duties related to the church. She has been restricted from teaching the Bible and performing holy mass at the church. She is an inmate of Karakkamala convent under Mananthavady Syro Malabar church and a member of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation. The nun alleged that the church is taking revenge for participating in the protest against the bishop. She told a Malayalam news channel that the Mother Superior had informed her about the restriction and that it was imposed as directed by the parish priest.

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However, Karakkamala parish has denied the reports that sister Lucy Kalappura has been banned from activities in the diocese because she supported the nuns’ protest. The vicar of the parish has issued a press release stating that no restrictions have been imposed on the sister.

“Devotees are dissatisfied with Sister Lucy for participating in the protest. They have demanded to take action against Sister Lucy. We just informed this to Sister Lucy through Mother Superior. This is being interpreted as the church has taken an action against sister,” says the press release.

In another development, Yuhanon Ramban, a priest of the Piramadom Dayara Jacobite church, Muvattupuzha, was warned for extending support for the nuns’ protest demanding arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal. The church leadership has given him a written warning saying that if the priest participates in such protests in future, he would have to face action.

Responding to this, Yuhanon Ramban said he would continue to fight for justice and for implementing the Church Act. Stating that pressure from some bishops in the state was behind this action, he said he would not retreat from the fight against injustice.