Kochi: Lucy Kalapura who challenged the Franciscan Clarist Congregation’s decision to expel her, has written to the Vatican seeking an opportunity to present her case directly to Pope Francis.

In her letter, she has alleged that disciplinary action was taken for participating in protests by a group of nuns seeking the arrest of Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a fellow nun. Further, she also sought an opportunity to appear in person before a tribunal which would consider her appeal against the Congregation’s decision.

Also read: Kerala nun rape case: Syro-Malabar church says Sister Lucy Kalappura expelled as per norms

This is not the first time she has made an appeal to the Vatican regarding her expulsion. On October 17, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Vatican had dismissed Sister Lucy’s first appeal challenging the Franciscan Clarist Congregation’s decision to expel her for “failing to give a satisfactory explanation for her lifestyle in violation of FCC laws”. 

The Congregation had charged her for her involvement in social media. Its report further states that though several chances were given to her to “correct her mistakes”, sister Lucy paid no heed. Lucy's stance on Kerala nun rape case has led to many discussions in the state about the freedom and the individual rights of a nun. The congregation, under the Roman Catholic Church, had said the nun was issued 'proper canonical warnings', but did not show the needed remorse.