Vatican rejected enchantment of Sister Lucy Kalapura, confirmed her dismissal: Kerala congregation

By Express News Service
KOCHI: The enchantment filed by Sister Lucy Kalapura towards her dismissal from the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) was rejected and the dismissal has been confirmed by Apostolica Signatura, the very best judicial authority within the Catholic Church, claimed the FCC in a letter written to superiors and nuns of the congregation.

“At last, in the fullness of time accordingly to the plan of Holy Trinity…the Almighty God untied the knot of our heartbreaking issue concerning Lucy Kalapura. The appeal of Lucy Kalapura is rejected by Apostolica Signatura and the dismissal is confirmed. Let us raise our hearts praising the Almighty for his unspeakable gift,” stated Sr Ann Joseph, Superior General of Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) within the letter issued on Sunday.

The dismissal of Sr Lucy adopted a number of warning letters by the Congregation accusing her of disobedience and breaking the vow of poverty amongst different ‘wrong-doings,’ together with publishing her e-book ‘Snehamazhayil’, participating in TV channel discussions, registering a automobile in her personal title, availing a mortgage with out looking for permission and publishing her articles in non-Christian weeklies and dailies. She was additionally accused of studying to drive and getting a licence with out the permission of her Superior General.

According to the Supreme Tribunal of Signatura Apostolica, by the decree issued by the Superior  General on May 11,2019, Sr Lucy Kalapura was dismissed resulting from grave violation of the vow of obedience along with the vow of poverty.

Sources stated the Congregation of Oriental Churches on July 9, 2019 confirmed the decree. Meanwhile, on November 5, 2019, Sr Lucy Kalapura approached the Supreme Tribunal towards the choice. On February 12, 2020, the Supreme Tribunal rejected the recourse by Sr Kalapura after examinations. Again, one other enchantment was filed in March final yr, which was examined by the Supreme Tribunal on May 18, 2021. The Supreme Tribunal once more rejected the enchantment on May 27 this yr.

Following the rejection of the enchantment by the Vatican, the Superior General of FCC has written a letter to Sr Kalapura on Sunday ordering her to vacate the FC convent Karakkamala, Mananthavady.

In the letter, Sr Ann said that there was no additional authorized treatment out there to problem her dismissal throughout the Catholic authorized system. “You have availed all the three levels of appeals possible within the Catholic legal system and in all these levels your recourse against the decree of dismissal are rejected. I would like to bring to your attention the fact that your right to continue as a member of the FCC is now definitely and irrevocably extinguished. You no longer have the right and duty to wear the religious habit of the FCC hereafter,” stated Sr Ann.

The letter additionally talked about that Sr Kalapura, who doesn’t fall beneath the ‘guest’ and ‘workers’ listing on the Congregation, has been ordered to vacate the convent inside one week of the receipt of the letter. Any additional continuation past the permitted time can be thought of as prison home trespass. Sr Ann additionally made it clear that FCC will search authorized recourse, if she decides to remain on on the convent.

The letter additionally said that since she was dismissed, she can’t declare or obtain any advantages or cash for the work achieved throughout the membership on the Congregation. She would solely be entitled to obtain the quantity handed over to FCC as patrimonium on the time of becoming a member of the Congregation, the letter said.

Sister Lucy says her petition nonetheless pending with Vatican

Meanwhile, Sister Lucy Kalapura rejected the statements of the FCC Congregation and claimed that her petition was nonetheless pending earlier than the Vatican. She stated that she suspects the paperwork they despatched had been fabricated and claimed that faux information was being circulated. “It is a transparent denial of justice and reality. It is all a part of a conspiracy by FCC superiors. I cannot vacate the convent till my facet of the reality is heard,” stated Sr Lucy.